Our thoughts go out to the family of longtime VTA member Tony Smith who sadly passed away last Sunday. Over the years, Smith who raced under the name of Concepts Unlimited, was a familiar face at Colonial Downs. He could be found in Nellie Mae Cox’s box enjoying the races and cheering on his horses along with partners and friends Nellie Mae Cox, Anne and John Tucker, and Bob and Beverly Bouse. All Giving was the most accomplished horse he owned. The Allen’s Prospect mare was a multiple stakes winner and earned almost $600,000. All Giving’s first foal Little Cherie just won an allowance race at Turfway Park on January 1st after running unplaced in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (gr.I). Below is the obituary printed by the Richmond Times Dispatch.
SMITH, Charles Anthony “Tony” Jr., 69, of Midlothian, died Sunday, January 10, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan S. Smith; and sister, Marie S. Beil. He is survived by his children, Charles Anthony Smith III and wife, Ingrid, Susan Cassandra Zimmerman and husband, Bruce, Shannon Smith Horan and husband, Brendan and Bryan Sheppard Smith and wife, Robyn; nine grandchildren, Susan, Wayne, Alyssa, Lauren, Bryan, Payton, Caitlyn, Brian and Jacob; sister, Catherine Jeanette Smith; uncle, William Holzgrete; brother-in-law, Guy Sheppard and wife, Susan; and many loving family and friends. Tony was a 1964 graduate of Benedictine High School and attended VCU and graduated with a B.S. in economics. Tony was a loving father, grandfather, brother and a friend to many. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (today), January 12, at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 2700 Dolfield Rd., Richmond, Va. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.