Brian Thomas Smith
formerly of Uniontown
Brian Thomas Smith, of Lynn Haven, Fla., passed away Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was born in Uniontown April 21,1954. In his young years, he was a Boy Scout and grew his interest in hunting and learning how to shoot. He graduated high school from Albert Galliton High in Masontown in 1972.
Directly after high school, he left home to join the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War to serve his county. After enlisting, he was stationed at Minot, AFB, where he worked in HVAC and Refrigeration.
After leaving the USAF, Brian continued to reside in North Dakota and transitioned into Civil Service as a high voltage electrician, to continue serving his country.
In his young adult years, he was an avid hunter, hunting ducks and whitetail deer.
In 1994, he relocated to Panama City, Fla., where he continued his career as a contractor, first as a program manager and later as a consultant at Tyndall AFB, until his retirement in 2018.
He loved woodworking, rebuilding Jeeps, cars, and motorcycles. Brian was a jack-of-all- trades, a top tier handy man and innovator. He could build anything or fix anything you needed. His love for motorcycles, marksmanship and building things was prominent all his life.
Brian had a deep love for motorcycles, but for him, it was about so much more than the bikes themselves. He loved the feeling of being out on the open road, riding his Harley with the wind around him and the freedom of the road ahead. Whether he was taking a long ride, spending hours tinkering on his motorcycles, or happily searching for his next one, Brian was never far from something with two wheels. His motorcycles were a source of joy, adventure, and peace, and those who knew him will always remember the happiness they brought him. For Brian, there was simply no better place to be than on the open road.
The only thing that could slow Brian down was his battle with cancer. Even through the hardest days, Brian faced his illness with the same strength, courage, humor and determination that defined him. He took each day as it came and never allowed cancer to take away his spirit. He fought with everything he had, surrounded by the love of his family and friends, continuing to face each challenge with grace and perseverance. His strength throughout this journey is something we will always admire, and his courage is something we will carry with us and strive to emulate for the rest of our lives.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ruth Smith of Masontown.
Brian was a loving husband, brother, father, stepfather and grandfather (“Papa”). Left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Maureen Peoples; his children, Melissa Smith (Adam Jennings), Marlayna Bell Smith (Steve Smith), Ryan Smith, Angela Peoples and Steven Peoples; his grandchildren, Kingston and Charlotte “Charlie” Jennings; his brother, Gary Smith (Gerty Smith), their son Gary William Smith and his son, Grayson Smith.
The family will receive friends in the Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Panama City, Fla., Friday evening, September 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m., in the funeral home, with Deacon Mike Theobald officiating.
Following the service, Brian will be laid to rest with U.S. Air Force Honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
www.kentforestlawn.com