Dr. Danny Smith was raised in upper East Tennessee. In the late 1950’s, at age 8, he became a member of the Boys Club of Carter County, and remained active until he entered high school. Danny was involved in the boxing and silk-screening programs offered at that time. The Boys Club was small and focused on athletics. Upon Graduation from high school, Danny went to Milligan College and started his own family in Elizabethton. His wife Kathy shared that “many of the friendships he made as a young boy at the Boys Club were lifelong friends.” “His memories of those times led him to stay involved with youth. He knew how important this organization was for children and the youth in Elizabethton, and it ultimately is why he became a board member for the Elizabethton Club. Danny wanted to make sure the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton’s sustainability and growth would continue for all kids, for generations to come.”  

     Dr. Danny served on the Board of Directors for the Elizabethton Boys & Girls Club for more than 20 years. His greatest effort was acting as the liaison between the Boys & Girls Club and the local schools. He knew the importance of having a strong partnership with all schools. He believed that the mission of the Boys & Girls Club centered itself around academics and young futures. 

     His work on the board was pivotal in how the community viewed and responded to the Boys & Girls Club. In the mid 2000’s the Club was in dire straits financially and was a flailing resource for the community. Dr. Danny, along with a handful of other board members, made it their mission to revive the Club through strategic planning, community friendships and recruiting others to join the board. A nearly abandoned public building became the thriving place that it is today and continues to be needed in the community. Dr. Danny spearheaded the efforts to build a bridge between the Club and the schools to fill in the gaps for after-school and summer care, one of his greatest accomplishments for the Boys & Girls Club and for Carter County. He served on the Resource & Development committee for most of his 20 years, helping to create the annual golf tournament and Steak n Burger Dinner, of which both fundraisers continue to bring donors, supporters, and funds to the Boys & Girls Club today. 

     As a legacy, Dr. Danny Smith moved the PT profession forward in many aspects. His work and expertise extended itself to local high schools and youth athletics throughout the region. As a former Milligan College baseball player, he knew the value of youth sports and how teamwork from sports helped build leadership in young people. As a youth advocate on many fronts, he believed that children and education were the crux and center of all communities. He spent endless hours on the Operations Committee working on the educational plan to include a full-time Education Coordinator. This came to life in 2019 for the organization. Danny recognized the need for a dedicated space for learning, homework help and tutoring at the Boys & Girls Club. Danny was a true servant to the growth of the Elizabethton and Carter County organization, the positive changes it made, and he was steadfast during times when the organization was struggling financially to keep its doors open.

     In 2018, Dr. Danny was diagnosed with cancer. He fought a long, hard battle and in April 2022 he was taken from this world and the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton and Carter County. A tremendous loss. The Club and Board of Directors honored Dr. Danny, whose entire life had been deeply rooted within the blue doors of the Club. In December of that same year, a heartfelt ceremony with his wife of 45 years, their two children, 4 grandchildren, friends and family in attendance was held for the dedication of the Dr. Danny Smith Learning Center. The center is a perfect reflection of his value for learning and academic success. His legacy will live on as children and youth for generations to come will walk into the Dr. Danny Smith Learning Center and come to the know the man who touched so many lives and left a giant footprint behind.