Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter and Ryan McGill 

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio – otherwise known as Frogtown – Susan and Terry Russeau built their lives upon their roots. Terry spent his days working as a Commissioner of Water Distribution for the City of Toledo, while Susan had a job in finance. As fate would have it, the two would end up in Alabama, living on Smith Lake and experiencing the warm hospitality of the Deep South.

While elk hunting in Montana, Terry befriended a man who lived in Alabama and owned the Smith Lake location of Towboat US, a national company branching across the United States and parts of Canada. The two came to know each other well, becoming good friends, and after retiring from his job for the City of Toledo, Terry was presented with the opportunity to be on the water 24/7. 

Having grown up with a love for water and fishing on Lake Erie, Terry eagerly accepted the offer, making the move from Toledo and going to work for his friend doing tows on Smith Lake and Lake Martin. Just two years later, he made the decision to purchase Towboat US on Smith Lake. 

Being on the water full time and traveling back and forth from Toledo, Terry married his wife Susan in 2019. However, it wasn’t enough to work on the water; the couple wanted to live on it, too. 

In 2020, Susan and Terry purchased a home right on the lake and became a part of the Smith Lake community. Today, as Terry runs the towboat, Susan works for the City of Huntsville in the financial department. 

Towboat US offers memberships and a variety of lake services. These include: 

Membership 

Unlimited Freshwater - $99/year

Unlimited Gold - $200/year

ADD: Unlimited Trailer Assist - $40/year

Services

·  24/7/365 Dispatch

·  On Water Towing

·  On Water Jump Starts

·  On Water Fuel Delivery – fuel costs extra

·  Soft Ungroundings

·  Home dock to repair facility

· Raising boats and salvage

The two enjoy life in the South and being part of the Smith Lake community. “We enjoy the people, the hospitality. We love Smith Lake.”  

From Frogtown to the Deep South, a little Southern warmth was all the Russeaus needed to make their lake house a home. 78 

For more information on membership and services of Towboat US, please call (256) 385-1966 or visit towboatuslewissmithlake.com.