Scott Samuel Smith

Scott S. Smith

July 3, 1966 – October 2, 2019

Scott passed peacefully at home on October 2, 2019, after an intense but short battle with Prion Disease with Jennifer, Elizabeth, Sterling and Kendall surrounding him with love.

Scott was born July 3, 1966 in Lakewood, Ohio, the son of Harry and Lorraine Smith.  Scott’s mother referred to him as “Sammy Sunshine” throughout his childhood for the bright, vivacious, and inclusive personality he was - a personality which would draw people to him throughout his life.

Scott’s father worked as a federal agent for the Department of Treasury, and after a short stint living in Alexandria, Virginia, Scott grew up in North Ridgeville, Ohio, with his parents, brothers Gene and Christopher and sister Lori. Scott graduated from North Ridgeville High School in 1984, where he made many life-long friends.  After high school, Scott was recruited to wrestle for Eastern Michigan University where he would continue to affect the lives of so many.

Upon graduation from college, Scott began working in law enforcement for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  However, Scott was destined to follow his father into federal law enforcement. 

In 1996, Scott was hired as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and for the next 22 years left an indelible mark on the organization and the people within. As a new Agent, Scott worked criminal matters in the Cleveland FBI Office, assigned to the Toledo Resident Agency. Following the events of 9/11, Scott worked as a Supervisory Special Agent in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters, then returned to the Toledo Resident Agency as a Supervisory Special Agent.  Scott’s FBI career would take him to the Dallas Field Office as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge and the Pittsburg Field Office as Special Agent in Charge. Scott would serve three different tours at FBI Headquarters, two tours overseas in the Iraq and Afghanistan combat theaters, and, ultimately, the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division.  Scott retired in July 2018 to pursue his passion for cyber-related matters in private industry with Caterpillar, serving as their Chief Information Security Officer.  He loved the atmosphere at Caterpillar, the joys of working within private industry, and the incredible people with whom he worked.

A memorial service celebrating Scott’s life will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2019, 1:00 p.m., at the Washington Golf and Country Club, 3017 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207.  Services will be followed in “Sammy Sunshine style” with drinks, food, and toasts provided on the veranda deck.

Upon being diagnosed with Prion Disease, Scott did not worry about himself, but turned his attention to helping others.  As such, the family has expressed their wish that gestures of sympathy in lieu of flowers by made by charitable donations to the FBI Agents Association Memorial College Fund or the Johns Hopkins University Department of Neurology.  Donations for the FBIAA’s Memorial College Fund should be sent to PO Box 32021, Alexandria, VA 22320, noting the contribution is made in the memory of Scott S. Smith.  Donations for JHU should be sent to the Johns Hopkins University, c/o Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 North Broadway, Suite 724A, Baltimore, MD 21205.  Please include a note indicating the donation is in memory of Scott S. Smith and intended to benefit the work of Dr. Justin McArthur in the Department of Neurology.  Memorial gifts can also be made securely online at:  

https://secure.jhu.edu/form/neuro

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