Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Alfred Smith III

Alfred Smith III, 86, retired from Ethyl Corp., after 32 years of service, passed away at his residence in Baton Rouge, La., on Wednesday, October 18, 2000.

Mr. Smith was born in Wyoming, Del., December 3, 1914. He graduated with high honors when he received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida in 1940. He earned a master of science degree in chemical engineering from LSU in 1942. He was a member of Tau Beta Phi, Gamma Sigma Epsilon and Phi Kappa Phi honor fraternities. His first job was at the Lion Chemical Ozark Ordnance Plant in El Dorado from 1942 to 1945, where he was assistant chief chemist, supervising a control lab of 60 employees. He moved to Cabot Carbon Co. in Pampa, Texas, in 1945 to its pilot plant for carbon block, which was high priority for tires for military vehicles. In 1947 he moved to Ville Platte, La., as chief engineer for Cabot. This was the world's largest carbon block plant at that time. He joined Ethyl Corp. in June 1952 and retired December 1, 1983. At Ethyl he worked in technical services, process design and economic evaluations. He was a registered professional engineer. He was a fellow of AICHE and served as a national director from 1965 to 1967. He served on the national environmental committee and national membership committee. In Baton Rouge he served as vice chairman in 1957 and chairman in 1958, and was chairman at the start of the Coales Memorial Award. He was listed in Engineers of Distinction in 1970. He was active in the Downtown Kiwanis Club in Baton Rouge and at one time was president of Rotary Club in Ville Platte. He served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church for more than 35 years and taught a Sunday school class. He was a life member of the Camelot Club, a member of the Oregon Club, former president of the Ethyl Management Club, a member of the Ethyl 30-Year Club and was an American Club Society Member for many years. He was also a former member of the Cornite Campers. He was active in the Boys Scouts, having served as a Webelo leader and troop committee member. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Smith Jr., and a sister, Hannah Smith and an infant son, Alfred Smith IV.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Irene Hamby Smith; a son, Randolph H. Smith; and a daughter-in-law, Ruth Talley Smith of Kingwood, Texas; a daughter, Irene Smith Alesce, and a son-in-law, Leon Alesce of Baton Rouge, La.; grandchildren, Lauren and R.H. Smith Jr. of Kingwood and Allison I. Alesce of Baton Rouge; and two brothers, James G. Smith and his wife Helen of Lakeland, Fla., and Daniel B. Smith and his wife Ellen of Orlando, Fla.,

Graveside services were Sunday, October 22, at DeAnn Cemetery in Prescott with Rev. Jerry Westmoreland officiating. Burial was under the direction of Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home of Prescott.