Thomas L. Smith

Tom Smith was orphaned at a very young age and lived with his aunt and uncle on a farm in Ohio. Tom worked on his uncle’s farm and at various jobs as a youth while attending high school.

In 1944 Tom joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in October of 1948. In August 1050, Tom joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Cacapon, USS Dionysus, USS John R. Craig, USS Edson, USS Shelton, and the USS King. He served shore duty in Taipei, Taiwan; Portland, Oregon; and San Diego, California. Tom was a Senior Chief Storekeeper in the Navy until his honorable discharge in November of 1969. Tom then settled in San Diego and continued in the Navy Reserves.

Tom, a widower, is survived by and was the beloved father of Sandra Sue Bain; grandfather to Renee Lemanski in Las Vegas, NV, and Ronald Pritchett of Mesa, AZ; great Grandfather to Amber Martin, Christopher O’Brien and Noah O’Brien of Las Vegas, NV; and great great grandfather to Brooklyn, Nicholas and Rhilen Martin of Las Vegas, NV.

Tom was generous with his time and served both as a member and officer of the Elks Club and Commander of the VFW Post #2082 in Lemon Grove. Tom was a voracious reader of books (especially westerns), newspapers, magazines and the Readers Digest. Tom could discuss varied topics, perhaps because he was well read, and had a quiet sense and positive attitude. He could make humorous quips with his dry sense of humor. He will be sorely missed and always be in our hearts.

Tom will be placed at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.