Mr. Dennis Smith N5HGN
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I regret to report the loss of a very good friend and a man that dearly loved amateur radio. Mr. Dennis Smith, N5HGN lost his fight with cancer on Monday, May 30, 2011. Dennis was well known for his promotion of QRP and as the president of the infamous "Don Quixote Club". He wrote and sang a host of amateur radio songs on a compact disk called Hammin' It Up. The songs included; The Brass Pounder, QRZ, Silent Keys, Antenna Farmer, The Contester, Antenna Anna, Pile Up, Dx'ers Lament, and If I was an Astronaut. I talked to Polly Smith and she has given me permission to make Dennis Smith's music available to you on this web site. Pick a song below to play while reading the rest of the story. After clicking on the "Play" button, please allow a few seconds for the song to download.
By KB5SZJ Charles Grisham: I remember the first time I met Dennis, seems like yesterday. I got my ham ticket just after high school, and was studying to upgrade to what they called "Tech Plus". Dennis was at that time heavy into QRP and was trying to get others involved in it as well, and why not, it was a pretty exciting thing. By that I mean just think about this, making contacts around the world on just the bare minimum of watts. Dennis could sure burn up the airwaves with that CW! I remember just about every time I'd run into him somewhere he would always ask me when I was going to get a set of paddles and join the group.
Some years later and several field days had past I started working for Hooper Electronics (when it was still on 5th street by the court house), Dennis would come in and we would talk for a while as he would be browsing the parts and asking "When are y'all going to get more ham related stuff in here?". I'd always answer him with "I'm working on it, I just got to get Clarence to let me bring some up from the coast." At that time the only stores that the Hooper's owned that had "ham gear" was either Biloxi or Jackson. Eventually I got a few items sent up and one day he came through the door and just about fell out when he saw all the MFJ products I had setup behind the counter. "Is all this for me?" he asked, I said "Not only for you but for all the hams in the area; we are going to bring CW back to the Meridian area".
The years went on and some interest was better than none, I guess. I was moving some stuff around in the store one day and came across some old albums and cassettes that Dennis had released through Soule Record Productions. I held on to them and a few days later Dennis came in and I put one on the counter just before he came in. When he came up to the counter he smiled and said "Where did you get that?" I replied then” It was in the back in an old box, covered up for a while I guess." Later I opened one up and played it there in the store.
I know what I have shared here today is probably a story that can be concurred by all in this community that knew him and I encourage all of the rest of the hams around that have a tid-bit to share about Dennis to step-up and share it. These people that have past have a story to be told and something the new hams should take notice of, because they could really learn from these people.
Obituary from The Meridian Star
Meridian Star June 1, 2011 Dennis Smith
Memorial services for Dennis "Preacher" Smith will be held today, at 7:30 p.m., at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wilson Kendrick and Gary Blair officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Smith, 63, of Meridian, died Monday, May 30, 2011, at his residence. He was a member of Central Baptist Church of Meridian and Geiger Methodist Church of Geiger, Ala. He was a Veteran of the U. S. Navy. Mr. Smith will be remembered as a very special person, musician, music lover, lover of life and best friend to many. Dennis was a loving husband, an awesome father and wonderful grandfather.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Polly Smith of Meridian; children: Gabriel Smith of Pensacola Fla., Dawn Smith of Pass Christian, Daniel Browning Smith and his wife Micki of Los Angeles Calif., Tracie Brantley of Meridian, Adam Sellers of Meridian, and Kim Shirley of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren: Jordie Smith, Riley Pearce, Darwin Smith, Bailee Davison Poisso, Adam Sellers Jr., A. J. Sellers, Jimmy Sellers, Harlee Sellers, Garrett Shirley, Gavin Shirley, and Gracelyn Shirley; brother, Basil Smith of Saraland, Ala.; mother-in-law, Genell Tibbetts of Meridian; special friends: John Walker, Harold Dubose, Wade Crews, Curtis Parker, Thomas Stuart and Suzie Nobles; and, numerous other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ruth and Egbert Smith; special friend, Andy Nobles; and, other relatives.
Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com