I’m sure most of you know Jane Smith who has worked as a writer and more at the local short tracks over the past few years. Her dad, Patrick D. Smith passed away around 2pm Sunday. Mr. Smith was a respected and well-known writer who wrote the novel “A Land Remembered”, plus several other novels, mostly about the State of Florida, works that won him a number of awards. Please say a prayer for Jane, her mother, brother Rick Smith, and the rest of his family. Patrick was a very special person and he will be missed.
Keeping the family in my prayers.
Prayers for Jane and Rick. I was fortunate to see Rick recently when he gave a presentation on his fathers works here in Tallahassee.Patrick was a gifted writer and it shows his his works. “A time remembered” is a well crafted and accurate portrayal of the early years of Floridas development. Should be required reading for all school history classes.
Jayne, we were so sorry to hear about your Dad. Your family has our most sincere sympathies. God Bless you and your family. billy
From Florida Today:
Beloved Florida author Patrick Smith, who penned one of America?s most enduring novels, ?A Land Remembered,? passed away Sunday at the age of 87.
?We?re all saddened by it,? said long time family friend Ned Kellar, executive director of the Brevard County Library Foundation.
?A Land Remembered? is a sweeping saga of a Florida pioneer family. Smith was herald for its unique voice, rich language and evocative writing that told in great, exquisite detail the natural beauty of undeveloped Florida and the staggering challenges facing Florida pioneers.
Smith, a three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, had written an earlier novel, ?Angel City,? which revolved around Florida?s migrant farm workers, had been turned into a movie in 1980.
He and his wife, Iris, moved from Mississippi to Merritt Island in 1966 and Smith took a job as a public relations director for Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College). He wrote in his spare time, beginning with “The River is Home.” Other works include ?Allapattah? and ?Forever Island.
In 2012 he received the Florida Lifetime Achievement Award for writing and, in 1999, he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. In 2002, he received the Florida Historical Society?s ?Greatest Living Floridian Award.?
Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott paid a personal visit to Smith, at which time he presented the author with the ?Great Floridian? award.
The family will announce plans for a memorial service at a later date.
