Alexander Ralph Smith of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026 after a short battle with biliary cancer. Alex is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Sylvia Smith. Alex is survived by his wife, Amy, and son Ryan, his greatest pride; brother, Robert, of Smith Mountain Lake, VA; a sister, Rebecca, of Indian Trail, NC, and numerous cousins and treasured friends.

Born November 1966 in Minnesota, Alex grew up in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio as the family relocated during his dad’s career. At a young age of 16, he left home to attend Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. After earning is BS in Mechanical Engineering, he obtained an MBA at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. In 1990, he joined Westinghouse at the Charlotte Turbine Generator Plant, where he was soon to celebrate his 37th anniversary. A project manager at heart, he enjoyed many roles during his Westinghouse/Siemens Energy career including a building expansion of a GVPI area, an Orlando IT assignment, and 2 years at the generator plant in Erfurt, Germany.

Through Westinghouse, he met Amy in the summer of 1994 to whom he was married 27 years. They enjoyed many adventures living on the lake in Charlotte, NC, Oviedo, FL and Erfurt, Germany before landing in Fort Mill, SC for the last 20 years. Their greatest achievement is their son Ryan, who recently graduated summa cum laude from Clemson and started work as an Analyst with Truist Securities. Alex was immensely proud of Ryan and would be happy to boast of his achievements and golf talent.

Alex loved to travel the globe and to Hilton Head, SC with his family. For over 20 years, he enjoyed annual ski and golf trips with dear friends. One particular ski trip earning him the nickname “Granite Chief”. His buddies will miss him and his spreadsheets that kept tee times and grocery shopping organized. As they often joked, his “fun card” was full.

A sports fanatic, Alex watched almost any sporting event on television and recited statistics like it was his job. He was a diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers. He bought Panther’s season tickets in 1996 for which an Alex Smith family plaque is displayed at the BofA stadium’s south entrance. In recent years, he and Ryan developed a love for the Clemson T.I.G.E.R.S. He loved college basketball and shared a passion for March Madness with his sister. He was an avid golfer, a Springfield club member, a volunteer for the PGA and President’s Cup tournaments in Charlotte, and in 2022 checked off a bucket list golf trip to Scotland with friends. At the urging of Amy and Ryan, he reluctantly took a pickleball lesson and fell for the game. He looked forward to evening rallies with the guys.

Alex loved to collect things – beer cans, golf balls, hats, magnets, coasters and bourbon. He would hunt far and wide for a rare bourbon and looked forward to sharing his spoils with friends. He was kind, generous, and intelligent with the quickest of wits. He had countless friends that he considered family who will miss him deeply and wrap Amy and Ryan in their love.

A graveside service for family will take place on Monday, July 20 where he’ll be laid to rest at Philadelphia United Methodist church in Fort Mill, SC. We look forward to celebrating his life and legacy with friends and family at the following events:

• Friday, July 31 Memorial Golf “Birdies and Bourbon”, 1:30pm at Springfield Golf Course, Fort Mill, SC. Use grasshopper link to sign up by July 27.
• Saturday, August 1 Celebration of Life, 1:00pm at ASCG Dairy Barn at 288 Dairy Barn Lane in Fort, Mill, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to either the American Cancer Society or the annual Eileen “Beanie” Bird Memorial Fundraiser continuing the legacy of her giving spirit. This year donations can be made online via Eileen (Beanie) Bird's fundraising page for NAMI