At the base of a legacy sugar maple tree is the plaque reading: In loving memory of / Terry Lynn Smith / 1945–2003. Terry Lynn Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Humphreys County, Tennessee. He graduated as salutatorian of his class at Waverly High School in Waverly, Tennessee. He attended UT at Martin for two years and then transferred to Knoxville, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He returned to Knoxville a few years later and earned the MBA degree.
Smith worked for Alcoa Aluminum for 30 years as a mechanical engineer and project manager. Terry had two children, Jeffrey Alan and Julie Alyssa. Julie followed in her father’s footsteps and graduated from UT. Jeffrey became a UT employee. Terry Smith was passionate about UT football and basketball and was a season ticket holder for both sports all of his adult life. The family “chose Circle Park for a memorial because Terry loved the University of Tennessee. It provided him the education he needed to support his family, to advance his career and to make a difference in the world. Circle Park also held many happy memories of family times spent attending sporting events. Circle Park is a place of joy—where people celebrate. We wanted to celebrate Terry’s life in this beautiful and joyful place.”