Batey M. Gresham Jr., co-founder of Gresham Smith, dies at 88

Batey M. Gresham Jr., the co-founder of Nashville-based architecture and engineering firm Gresham Smith, died Saturday, Aug. 6, in Auburn, Alabama, of natural causes. He was 88 years old.

Gresham retired from the company in 2013 but left his mark on Nashville and many other communities. Many who worked for Gresham say his legacy far transcends the buildings dotting the Nashville skyline that evolved out of his company.

"Batey was a very caring individual," said CEO Rodney Chester, who has worked at Gresham his entire career. "He established the culture of our company from the very start. He truly put his employees first. People will remember Batey because of how he made them feel."

Gresham, born in Lebanon, Tennessee, received his bachelor's degree in architecture from Auburn University in 1957, before returning to Nashville. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as first lieutenant from 1957-1959 and as a captain from 1961-1962.

Gresham, along with Fleming “Flem” W. Smith Jr., founded Gresham and Smith Architects (now Gresham Smith) in 1967. One of the firm’s first clients was the newly formed Hospital Corporation of America.

Chester said due to Gresham's early involvement with HCA, he was instrumental in many of HCA hospitals throughout the country.

Gresham was also an active member of the Nashville and engineering professional communities. A registered architect in Alabama and Tennessee, he served in roles with several professional organizations, including the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Tennessee Society of Architects, the Construction Specifications Institute, the Urban Land Institute, the National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives, the National Association of Industrial Office Parks, the Young Presidents Organization and the Chief Executives Organization.

In 1999, demonstrating his dedication to his alma mater and the architecture profession at large, Gresham and his wife, Ann, also an Auburn graduate, established the Ann and Batey Gresham Endowed Professorship. At the time, it was the first endowed professorship in the university’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s 90-year history. He was an active member of the Auburn Alumni Association and in 2005 was recognized by the association with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established to recognize outstanding professional achievement, personal integrity and service to the university.

"He felt that he was doing things to continue to help educate kids that would help the entire profession," Chester said. "That was a love of his – getting kids into the architecture profession."

There will be a private funeral service followed by a reception for family and friends at Fig and Ivy on Wednesday, Aug. 10 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., 2290 Moores Mill Road in Auburn, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Auburn University Foundation – Ann and Batey Gresham Professorship in the College of Architecture (317 S. College St., Auburn, Alabama, 36830) or the charity of your choice.

Melonee Hurt covers growth and development at The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network — Tennessee. Reach Melonee at mhurt@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville architect Batey M. Gresham Jr. of Gresham Smith dies at 88