Louis A. “Lou” Smith, a pillar of the legal community and beloved family man, passed away at the age of 85 on August 13, 2024, in Ocean Ridge, Florida. Born in Lansing, Michigan, on April 22, 1939, Lou was the son of John Paul and Marjorie Christmas Smith, who both preceded him in death. Raised in the faith of the Catholic Church, Lou’s life was an embodiment of ethical integrity and devotion to service.
He grew up in Lansing, Michigan. His father worked at the Oldsmobile Plant to provide for the family and put his children, Louis and Jane who survives him, through Catholic school. Lou graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lansing, Michigan as class president. Immediately following graduation, he volunteered to join the U. S. Army and spent six months at Fort Leonard Wood, in Missouri. He honorably served as a member of the United States Army Reserves for the next eight years and was a lifetime patriot. Every sport coat he owned was adorned with an American flag pin in its lapel.
Following his Honorable Discharge, he worked 3 p.m. to midnight on the assembly line at the Oldsmobile Plant in Lansing while attending Michigan State University. He graduated cum laude in three years and enrolled at the University of Michigan Law School where he met the love of his life Karen Emens. They married in 1966 and began an amazing life together.
Professionally, Lou was a force to be reckoned with, admired by colleagues for his dedication and principles, and beloved by his clients for his wisdom, incredible sense of humor, and unwavering loyalty. Admitted to numerous courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States, his practice had grown statewide. His legal legacy includes the pivotal role he played as co-founder, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, where he served with distinction from 1972 until his retirement in 1994. In 1988, in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession, Lou was honored with a Doctor of Laws, causa honoris, from the very law school he co-founded.
Public service was a calling that Lou answered with zeal. His work on the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, the State Board of Law Examiners, and the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, affirmed his dedication to upholding the integrity of Michigan’s legal system.
With unparalleled loyalty he also served many years on the Board of Directors of Empire National Bank of Traverse City, continuing as an Advisory Board member of Huntington National Bank. Other longstanding Board of Director commitments included Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and serving with distinction as a Director of Universal Forest Products of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
His personal hobbies and interests painted the picture of a man who lived life to the fullest. As an avid golfer, Lou enjoyed membership in several golf clubs including Gulf Stream G.C. in Florida, The Country Club of Florida, Traverse City Golf & Country Club, and Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland. But, the membership and undulating greens of the Crystal Downs’ Alistaire MacKenzie golf course in Frankfort, Michigan won his heart. His role on various committees, the Board of Governors, and ultimately as President allowed him to combine his leadership skills with his love for the sport. Lou ultimately became President of the International Alistaire MacKenzie Society which holds annual tournaments between member teams of all MacKenzie courses around the globe. Lou also loved wine. His passion for viniculture expanded to a thriving vineyard around their Traverse City home, with 4,200 plants, leading to the creation of a fine Merlot wine under the private label of Peninsula Hills Cellars.
Another important chapter in Lou’s life were the Notre Dame years. A fan from a young age, he considered it a privilege to see all of his children matriculate from the University of Notre Dame. Lou and Karen traveled frequently to the Land of the Fighting Irish and spent many weekends attending football games, graduations, university events, supporting their children and the university. At Father Hesburgh’s invitation he served over thirty years on the Notre Dame Law School Advisory Board. Lou loved Notre Dame and was so proud of the six degrees acquired by his three children. Though he received many honors and accolades throughout his life, his greatest joy and treasure was his family. Fifty-eight years of marriage was a profound gift. Lou is survived by his devoted wife, Karen; his children and their families, Timothy Smith and his children, Caroline (Michael) Petrucci, Molly, and Luke Smith; Patrick (Katie) and their children, Aidan and Delaney; Betsy (or as Lou called her, Betsy-Boo) (KR) Palmer and their children Christian, Graham, and Meredith. Just a few months before he passed he was blessed with his first great-grandchild, Ada Margaret Petrucci. Together Lou and Karen made their life and memories at their home in Traverse City, the cottage on beautiful Glen Lake, and wherever they gathered as a family. It was the cottage that changed the trajectory of their lives in 1974, instigating a move from Lansing to Traverse City. The best move ever!
Lou’s Celebration of Life will include an Irish Wake, reflecting the joy with which he lived and the deep community ties he fostered throughout his life. The gathering will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Sleder’s Family Tavern, 717 Randolph Street in Traverse City, Michigan. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday September 7th, beginning with a 12:30 p.m. Rosary, followed by a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Philip Neri Catholic, Church, 11411 S. La Core Street, Empire, MI, with burial and military honors immediately following in the church cemetery. The funeral service will be Live Streamed at www.facebook. com/stphilipneriempire.org Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Philip Neri Building Fund Campaign at https://www.stphilipneriempire.org Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories.
True to his character, he often modestly attributed his accomplishments to luck, but those who knew him were aware that his success was the fruit of hard labor, a brilliant mind, an uncanny sense of humor, and a generous heart.
As we say goodbye to Lou Smith—a name as common as it gets, but a man as uncommon as one could hope to meet—we remember tireless work ethic, and the soft heart that defined him. As the Smith Family headstone reads, “Love one another, as I have Loved You.” John 15:12
