Pat Smith was an ordinary guy – who accomplished extraordinary things - in his local community as
well as the broader world community.

On Sunday, August 27, at 6:07 a.m., Pat Smith was among the 49 passengers killed when the Comair flight crashed on takeoff from Bluegrass Airport in Lexington.

Pat had served as President of Lexington Habitat for Humanity in previous years and remained an active member of its Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity International.

Pat organized multiple Habitat missions to Ghana, South Africa, Mexico, Northern Ireland, India and Sri Lanka (where he served the tsunami victims). He was headed to the U.S. Gulf Coast on that fateful Sunday morning to continue helping Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild. He did all of this as a volunteer – recruiting and organizing workers, raising funds, managing the build process.

Thousands of people are in safe, decent homes today as a direct result of Pat Smith’s tireless and selfless work.

Pat was a remarkable man, with a wonderful, close-knit family. He found goodness everywhere and continually found opportunities to serve those in need – without drawing attention to himself.

Pat cannot be replaced. His heart, soul and passion were simply too great to replicate. We cannot lose his memory, though, and we must carry on his work to the best of our ability.

To accomplish that goal, the leadership of Lexington Habitat for Humanity, with the support of Pat’s family, has established the Pat Smith Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund to honor his legacy. The fund will provide on-going financial support for the mission of Habitat for Humanity both locally in Lexington and internationally.

TO MAKE A DONATION:

Please make your check payable to “Lexington Habitat for Humanity” with “Pat Smith Endowment” in the memo area and mail it to

Lexington Habitat for Humanity
1260 Industry Road
Lexington, KY 40505.