1931
Seth
2016
Seth Smith
September 27, 1931 — April 10, 2016
Seth M. Smith, 84, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, April 10th, 2016.
Seth was born near Watkins Glen, New York on September 27, 1931. He graduated in 1949 from Watkins Glen High School, where he excelled in gymnastics and weightlifting, an interest that would later lead to his very successful business career; he was a pioneer in the health and fitness club industry. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954 where he was a weapons specialist. There he developed a passion for boxing and organized a boxing team and won the European Championship. He remained devoted to the sport for the rest of his life.
Seth was married to Elynor Willis Smith on May 24, 1960; they were married for 56 years.
Seth started his own company, Cosmopolitan Health Studios in 1958, and then incorporated in 1963. The Nashville-based company was successful enough that it was taken public in 1972, at which time he became President and Chairman of the Board, renaming the company Cosmopolitan Spa International. During the 1970's, the corporation expanded so rapidly and its brand became so well-known that a number of locations were franchised; it was the second largest chain of fitness clubs in the nation. In 1986, Seth sold the corporation and bought the Franklin-based Doors Unlimited, a commercial overhang door company that he built into one of the largest in the industry in the Southeast region. He sold Doors Unlimited in 1996 and subsequently retired. From the mid-Seventies up until his retirement, he became very involved in the Beef Master cattle breeding industry, which he treated as both business and pleasure.
Seth is survived by his wife, Elynor; son Keith (and wife, Melanie) of Collierville, Tennessee; daughter Elynor Smith of Franklin, Tennessee; son, Kevin Smith (and wife, Beverly) of Knoxville, Tennessee, daughter Becky Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; and son Ricky (and wife, Kathy) Fazarry of Lamoille, Nevada. He is also survived by sisters, Isabelle D'Ingianni of Penn Yann, New York and Claire Schaeffler of Horseheads, New York; and many nephews and nieces as well as other family and friends. He had four grandchildren: Jonah, Seth, Ross and Charlotte, of whom he was extremely proud.
Seth is preceded in death by his father, Mark; mother, Margaret Oakes; and brothers, Todd and Hollen.
The funeral service will be held 4:00PM Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 5-8PM Tuesday & 1hr prior to the service. A private burial will be at Viola Cemetery in Viola, TN
Seth was born near Watkins Glen, New York on September 27, 1931. He graduated in 1949 from Watkins Glen High School, where he excelled in gymnastics and weightlifting, an interest that would later lead to his very successful business career; he was a pioneer in the health and fitness club industry. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954 where he was a weapons specialist. There he developed a passion for boxing and organized a boxing team and won the European Championship. He remained devoted to the sport for the rest of his life.
Seth was married to Elynor Willis Smith on May 24, 1960; they were married for 56 years.
Seth started his own company, Cosmopolitan Health Studios in 1958, and then incorporated in 1963. The Nashville-based company was successful enough that it was taken public in 1972, at which time he became President and Chairman of the Board, renaming the company Cosmopolitan Spa International. During the 1970's, the corporation expanded so rapidly and its brand became so well-known that a number of locations were franchised; it was the second largest chain of fitness clubs in the nation. In 1986, Seth sold the corporation and bought the Franklin-based Doors Unlimited, a commercial overhang door company that he built into one of the largest in the industry in the Southeast region. He sold Doors Unlimited in 1996 and subsequently retired. From the mid-Seventies up until his retirement, he became very involved in the Beef Master cattle breeding industry, which he treated as both business and pleasure.
Seth is survived by his wife, Elynor; son Keith (and wife, Melanie) of Collierville, Tennessee; daughter Elynor Smith of Franklin, Tennessee; son, Kevin Smith (and wife, Beverly) of Knoxville, Tennessee, daughter Becky Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; and son Ricky (and wife, Kathy) Fazarry of Lamoille, Nevada. He is also survived by sisters, Isabelle D'Ingianni of Penn Yann, New York and Claire Schaeffler of Horseheads, New York; and many nephews and nieces as well as other family and friends. He had four grandchildren: Jonah, Seth, Ross and Charlotte, of whom he was extremely proud.
Seth is preceded in death by his father, Mark; mother, Margaret Oakes; and brothers, Todd and Hollen.
The funeral service will be held 4:00PM Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 5-8PM Tuesday & 1hr prior to the service. A private burial will be at Viola Cemetery in Viola, TN
Visitation Details
Tuesday, April 12th, 2016 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
Service Information
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016 4:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
Interment Details
Viola Cemetery
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