Joseph Smith Obituary

Joseph Thaddeus Smith

February 14, 1952 -

September 30, 2024

HARRODSBURG, KY - Joseph Thaddeus Smith, affectionately known as "Joe T.," was born on Valentine's Day, 1952, and passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly, on September 30, 2024, at his home in Harrodsburg, KY. The only child of the late John Aldine and Hannah Massengill Smith, Joe was born in Bluff City, TN. He received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Tennessee, thus his lifelong love of reading. A lifelong football fan, Joe was a true orange and white Volunteer! He, however, gradually became a member of UK's Big Blue Nation after he moved to Kentucky and became a season ticket holder. He loved his Wildcats and on his last weekend on this earth celebrated UK's victory over sixth ranked Ole Miss. As he put it in a text, "WOW!"

Professionally, Joe was the acknowledged as THE trainer of American Saddlebred weanlings and yearlings. He trained and showed over a dozen World Champions including Lucky Image, Law Me, Star Material and Fox Creek. Additionally, he won the Breeders' Jackpot with Tea Tephi. He later successfully stood the breeding stallion Fox Creek at his Harrodsburg farm. Joe's love of horses and American Saddlebreds in particular began at an early age, when photos captured his tender age image atop a pony. He was destined to follow that equine path, and he did it with an unsurpassed talent and grace. Personally, he was known as a loyal and genuine friend. His larger-than-life personality touched all that knew and loved him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Early Vaughn and Virginia Obrecht Dulworth, and his former wife Joan Vaughn Dulworth. He is survived by his beloved daughter Vaughn Halsey Hannah Smith, the light of his too short life, and her fiancé Bryar William Brandvold; his brother and sister -in-law Steven M. and Jenny D. Albert and their children Evan O. Albert (Mango) and Lauren Virginia Albert Brown (Harrison); his brother and sister-in-law Brent A. and Jane D. Jacobs and their daughter Brooke Jacobs Currans (Chris); and his constant and loving companion Annie B. Moorhead. Also surviving are his trusted and faithful business colleagues and confidants, Gaynor Roberts Shane and David Mountjoy.

To quote a genuine and loyal friend, Joe was "A legend as a horseman; A legend as a friend; A legend as a father."

Contributions in his memory may be made to The American Saddlebred Museum, 4083 Wing Commander Way, Suite 150, Lexington, KY, 40511.

Kerr Brothers, 463 East Main Street, Lexington, is in charge of arrangements. Visitations are Friday, October 4 between 5 and 7 pm; Saturday October 5 between 9 and 10 am preceding the funeral service at 10. Burial will follow at the Lexington Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to join the family for a reception at The Lexington Club, 170 Esplanade, Lexington.