George Tanner Smith, 83

George Tanner Smith, most recently of Aurora, Ohio died Wednesday January 28, 2004.  He was born June 17, 1920 in Boardman, a son of George D. and Marion Tanner Smith.  Mr. Smith graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.  He retired in 1985 from George Tanner Smith and Associate Architects, the firm that he had been associated with for 37 years.  Upon retirement, he continued as a consultant.  During the years he was associated with the firm, the practice was responsible for 809 architectural commissions (of which 219 were educational facilities, 41 churches and 16 hospital projects).  The original firm was stared in 1881 and is the oldest continuing architectural firm in Ohio (with no principal ever leaving to start another firm).  His memberships included 46 years as a member of the Youngstown Rotary Club and an Emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects and the Eastern Ohio Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, of which he was a past president.  He has received recognition from various organizations including the Eastern Ohio Chapter of the Architects Society of Ohio and the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal Award in 1985.  He leaves his loving family, including his wife, Doris, who he married in 1949; two daughters, Dr. Sheryl Smith of Aurora and Sandra Smith of South Natick, Mass.; his brother, Edmond H. of New Castle, PA; a sister-in-law, Hazel Sprott of Aurora; Diane Strachan of Aurora; and Stuart Lubin of Brookline, Mass.  The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the memorial funds of Good Hope Lutheran Church, 12030 Market Street, North Lima, OH 44452 or Hope Lutheran Church, 456 Chillicothe Road, Aurora, OH 44402.