12/23/2025
CHARLES (“FRITCHY”) FRITCHIFF SMITH
January 12, 1943 – December 20, 2025
Fritchy Smith passed away peacefully at 82 years of age in his home on December 20, 2025, with his family by his side.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Smith of St. Augustine, Florida, his sisters, Rosanne Carter of Flagler Beach, and Vicky Corn (Larry) of San Mateo, his daughter, Marnie Gray (Jamie) of Mountain Brook, Alabama, his son, Chris Smith of Mountain Brook, Alabama, his step-daughters, Nicole Benson of Delray Beach, Florida, Beverly DiMatteo (Nino) of Houston, Texas, Laura Bliss (Adam) of Jacksonville, Florida, Tracy Vickers (Matt) of Robertsdale, Missouri; as well as his grandchildren Preston Smith, Haley Pringle, Virginia Gray, Aneliese Benson, Anne Warren Gray, Robert (“Rocco”) Gray, Sarah Grace Vickers, Maddie Bliss, Tyler Vickers, Abby DiMatteo, Lincoln Bliss.
He was preceded in death by his father Charles (“Rabbit”) Smith, his mother Virginia Sesco, and his brother Perschon Smith.
Fritchy’s great loves were shaped in the days of his youth in Old Florida. Growing up in San Mateo as part of the Tilton family, Fritchy worked the potato fields and “fed up” with his grandfather “Willy” Tilton, his Tilton uncles and cousins, and his mom, Virginia. He learned to love sports under the guidance of his dad and his coach, the famous Charles “Rabbit” Smith. He learned to love being on the water by skiing on the St. John’s River behind his little aluminum 35hp boat. Fritchy also loved to play and spend time with his friends, usually with his swim trunks on, shirt and shoes off. Fritchy’s life is a rich story of loving to compete and play, loving to teach and deeply loving his family.
His love of competition and friends marked his time at Palatka Senior High School where he was recognized Most Athletic (but not Best Looking to the chagrin of his mother), for his phenomenal performances in football, basketball, and track. Fritchy was state track champion in pole vaulting three years in a row, earning All State recognition. He graduated from St. John’s Junior College, University of Florida, and Nova University.
Fritchy’s love of teaching became his profession. He invested in his students, teaching them how the world works through chemistry at Forest High School in Ocala, and the value of discipline, teamwork and the power of practice by coaching and serving as Athletic Director. During summers, as director of Silver Spring Shores Community Center, Fritchy introduced hundreds of children to the Florida life of water-skiing, canoeing and river tubing. He also taught at North Marion High School and Westport High School and performed quality control at Royal Oak Charcoal.
His lifelong interests include saltwater aquariums, nice vehicles, HiFi stereo systems, friends from high school, and all things boating with his family: camping in the boat under the Milky Way, snorkeling and lobstering in the Florida Keys, and swimming with manatees at Crystal River. But of all things, his absolute favorite was to brag about his grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at the San Mateo Cemetery Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 11am.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Fritchy’s Book of Memories page at www.j-ofunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
