Thomas Henry Smith Jr.

Tom was born on November 19, 1931 in Horton, Kansas to Viola Jane (Pierce) and Thomas Henry Smith, Sr. He was the youngest of three siblings, to older brother Granville and sister Bernadine. Called “Tommy” as a child, he was hard-working, driven, and ambitious from the very beginning. During the Depression, little Tommy pulled his wagon around town gathering scrap metal to sell for extra money. At age 14, Tom told his parents he was leaving for the summer to work the wheat harvest. He set off all on his own, hitchhiking west then north until he eventually found work on a farm in Nebraska. In high school, Tom excelled in academics and sports, earning Varsity letters in track and field, football, and debate.

Tom was a proud Jayhawk. He graduated in 1953 with a pre-law degree from the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. After graduation, Tom moved to California and worked in accounting and law offices while attending law school and studying for the California Junior Bar. He enlisted in the Army in 1955 and qualified as an Army Ranger and Parachutist at Fort Benning, Georgia. Tom wanted to go into combat but the Army had other plans. Taking advantage of Tom’s limited legal training and education, he was assigned to be an Army Regimental Legal and Claims Officer and was trying cases within months. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually retiring from reserved service as a Captain in 1962.

After serving overseas in Korea and Japan, Tom returned home to Kansas where he met the love of his life, Margie Eileen (Laverentz) Smith in 1958. They married later that year and Tom enrolled in KU Law School. While Tom attended classes, he also owned and operated The Pit, a BBQ restaurant and bar in Lawrence. After graduation, one of Tom’s KU law professors recommended him to the J. C. Nichols Company, where cut his teeth on real estate deals as in-house counsel. Tom was a natural at both the law and real estate and his talents were recognized early. It was not long before he was recruited to be a vice president at the RLC Investments (a United Farm company) where he led the company’s purchase of large farms and ranches across the Western United States.

But Tom had big dreams and so he left his legal career behind in 1980 to start his own real estate development company that goes on today. Tom was at expert at understanding the value of land and how to subdivide and maximize investments. His knowledge of everything real estate was unmatched and he could (and would) negotiate anything, anyone, anytime. He spent the last several decades buying, selling, and developing commercial and residential projects in Kansas and Colorado into his 90s.

There was absolutely nothing ordinary about Tom. Beyond his brilliant legal mind and real estate prowess, Tom was loved and adored for his spirited and feisty personality, comedic wit, sense of adventure, and passion for fun. He had a deep affection for nature and the outdoors, climbing mountains, building lakes, walking trails, and spending a lifetime planting trees he would call “friends.” Tom was a member of the Church of the Resurrection for more than 10 years.

Tom was a true romantic and loved poetry, wine, travel, classical music, and the art of a good conversation. Even just a few weeks ago, Tom was still reciting some of his favorite poems like Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven. His mind was truly a marvel.

His very best years were spent with Margie, his wife, best friend, and partner in life. They shared 50 years of marriage, love, adventure, and four children together. They are together again. Tom’s long life was well-lived and his cup was filled to the very brim with a devoted family who loved him and success beyond anyone’s measure. We will miss his giant mischievous grin, treasure trove of lifetime stories, funny toasts, and the entertainment he undeniably brought to the table.

He was preceded in death by his parents Tom, Sr. and Viola Smith, brother Granville (Anne), sister Bernadine (Ian), and beloved wife Margie. He is survived by his four children Darren (Julie) of Salida, CO, David (Mutlu) of Leawood, KS, Dana Benjamin Ashner (Jeff) of Overland Park, KS, and Dianne Smith-Misemer (Patrick) of Kansas City, MO, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Please join us to celebrate Tom’s incredible life on Friday, May 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel in Leawood, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kansas City Habitat for Humanity or the Veterans' Community Project.