Tom is one of my favorite people in this world. When I first met Tom we were working at Honeywell. I instantly loved working with him and quickly noticed how genuine he was as a person. Nicest person I have ever met. Never saw no bad or evil in him. Always positive and always would make me laugh. He helped me be the way I am today. I am truly thankful and grateful for that. I will miss you a lot buddy. 

-Miguel Cobos

Rest in Peace buddy! Your buddy Miguel Cobos will always remember you. My Condolences to the Smith family.

Our brother Tom was an incredibly thoughtful and kind person to everyone he knew, worked with or interacted with in any capacity.  
 He truly loved meeting and being with people, sharing life experiences and mentoring those who would benefit from his skills. 

Through all of the difficulties in life he always chose to see the bright side.   He was our family treasure and we were blessed to have him in our midst.

Godspeed dear Tom, til we meet again.
Your loving sister Kathy

Life is but a stopping place.
                           A pause in wha't to be.
                        A resting  place along  the road.
                                         To  sweet eternity
                         We all have peace diffenrent  Journeys 
                         Difeenrent path ALong the way.
                          We all  were meant to learn something 
                                      But never meant to stay.
                            Our destination is a place.
                             For Greats then we know.
                            For some the Journeys quicker.
                            For some the  Journeys slow
And when Journey finally ends, we’'ll be great Reward.
And find an  everlasting Peace
                  Together with the Lord. 
                        I always love you Forever:

We are saddened to learn of Thomas’s passing but know that he is peacefully with the Lord, no longer in pain and suffering.  Jeff and I were fortunate to have met him and spend time with him at my father’s (Carl Padden) house in Murrieta, CA.  We remember him as a very kind and loving person who was always so happy.

Prayers for peace and comfort to his family.

Love and blessings,

Linda & Jeff Jordan

Part 3 of 3: Tom is survived by his wife Thuthi and stepdaughter Michelle, as well as four siblings: William Stanley (Barbara) Smith, Secaucus NJ;  Kathleen (Smith) Pustarfi, NYC, NY; Herman Philip (Linda) Smith, Belton TX; and Faye (Smith) Bates, Santa Fe NM, and 17 nieces and nephews.

We will miss Tom and our frequent conversations – laughing and teasing each other, sharing our lives, remembering childhood silliness, and our friends and family who’d gone before.  Tom was always upbeat and positive, looking at the good in others.  He was especially appreciative, also, of friendships with his co-workers – many with whom he worked for decades during his forty-plus career.

We hold Tom in honor as a sacred being on his journey.  May he receive whatever he needs from the great mystery and source. May Tom receive ultimate peace and know that he is truly loved. 

We love you, Tom.

Your brothers and sisters,

Stanley, Kathleen, Philip, Faye

Part 2 of 3: Tom took great and special pride in working on the gigantic Nose Dock for the huge Constellation Aircraft. The Constellation played a key role in airborne command and control during the Vietnam war. It is to his honor that he passed on Memorial Day Weekend as he always carried his Brothers in Arms in his heart. 

Tom served in the following USAF Units:
43rd Civil Engineer Squadron
823rd Red Horse Squadron Civil Engineers
555th Red Horse Squadron Civil Engineers
33rd Tactical Fighter Wing
320th Bomb Wing SAC - Strategic Air Command

In returning to civilian life, Tom joined Allied Signal Aerospace Systems and Equipment (now Honeywell), where he was employed for over 40 years.  He was a leader in Emergency Response Team and HAZMAT Containment.  He cross-trained and upgraded in every manner of welding certificates.  As a specialist welding expert, Tom worked with highly reactive metals. He was promoted to quality control and critical inspector of welds, dimensional, paint, rivets, torque and MORE.  Much of his work was for deep space use, in sub-freezing temperatures.

His co-workers held Tom in the highest respect as a mentor and for the support he always provided, choosing him to be their spokesperson for taking problems and grievances to management.

One of Tom’s favorite activities was the company-wide Campaign “Christmas Toys for Tots,” which he headed up and organized each year.  At the close of each campaign came the ceremonial driving, sometimes by Tom himself, of the 18 wheeler rig fully loaded with toys, to its destination for happy children.  

Tom was preceded in death by his parents William J. and Emma M. (Kozichek) Smith of Marengo IA, and four siblings: Sharon (Smith) Hoffmann, Barbara (Smith) Heck, Carroll J. Schmidt (nee Smith), and Alice (Smith) Campbell, and one niece Renee J. Smith.  

This tribute continues in the next “Condolence” comment section…

Part 1 of 3:  Our brother Tom was cherished by those who truly knew him…
 
Let us celebrate Tom’s gentle, loving heart and spirit.  He loved his family dearly and we loved Tom deeply as our amazing, generous, talented, funny, big-hearted brother. He stayed in continual connection with family and friends. We all loved connecting with Tom. He held deep friendships over many years, and looked on his close co-workers as his extended family.

Tom was a wonderful, caring and loving stepfather to Michelle, Thuthi's daughter.  She flew in from South Carolina to be with her "papa" and Thuthi during the week before his death.  She brought Tom great joy and peace.

Thomas Jacob Smith was born on November 5, 1948 at our family farm in rural Victor, Iowa.  After graduating in 1969 from Iowa Valley High School in Marengo, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in June 1969.  After Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio TX, and two assignments at Chanute AFB in IL and Forbes AFB in KS, he served two tours in-country in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971 at four different AFBs.  

In 1971 Tom was stationed for three months at Kwanju AFB in S. Korea, and then returned to Vietnam.  In late 1971 he had two assignments back in the USA. This was followed by one year at Kunsan AFB, S. Korea in March 1975.  He received an Honorable Discharge as Sergeant on February 13, 1976 at McCllelan AFB, Sacramento, CA.

Tom’s MOS - Military Occupation Specialty – was Heavy Equipment Operator and Welding Repair: PSP Matting and Welding, Construction of Aircraft Hangars and Nose Docks, Field Maintenance, Weld Repair of Aircraft ON and OFF Flight Lines.

Each Fighter Aircraft and type of equipment that Tom worked on was a personal mission and a point of pride for him.  He always kept in mind that, whatever maintenance and repairs he did, would help to ensure those pilots and soldiers returned home safely.


OBITUARY

Thomas Jacob Smith

5 November, 1948 – 26 May, 2024

Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary

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