Thomas Avery Smith

Thomas Avery Smith, 83, passed away on January 7, 2019, at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. Thomas was born in Washington, Indiana on August 21, 1935, the son of Avery and Helen (Strange) Smith, and was a graduate of St. John High School in Loogootee. Mr. Smith served proudly in as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne of the United States Army. He was a graduate of Vincennes University, and received his FAA A and P License from Northrup Institute of Technology. Tom worked as an Aircraft Mechanic for U.S. Airways for 35 years. He was also a Certified FAA Inspector. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church of Greencastle. Tom was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, and had a great love of building things for his family. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nancy Smith; five children, Dirk Smith, (Diane), Mooresville, Lisa Ray, (Chris) Plainfield, Susan Wesley, (Shane), Silex, Missouri, Alison Bauer, (Joe), Pittsboro, and Lora Deaton, (Mark), Poland; a brother Howard Smith, (Barbara), Clarksville; A sister, Elaine Carrico, Loogootee; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Donnie Nolan; a sister-in-law, Judy Smith; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Maryann Nolan, and a brother, Raymond Smith. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on January 17, 2019, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Greencastle with Father John Hollowell officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may gather at the church at 10:00 a.m.; a rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m. prior to time of service. Memories may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.