Cloudy, 26° F
(June 15, 1923 - May 8, 2016)
Thomas Henry Smith (Pooh), who loved chocolate syrup, travel adventures, and most of all Betty Blake Smith (Piglet), died on May 8, 2016, from complications of old age. He was 92.
Tom was born June 15, 1923, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Stephen Patrick Smith and Alta Richards Smith.
He loved snow, cold, mountains and whitewater.
He lived in a lot of places, including Cody, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and North Dakota. In his last four years Tom developed a loving relationship with the kind staff at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody.
In his first job after college he earned $50 a week at the Odessa American, first as a reporter, then as sports editor and finally as oil editor. Later he moved into public relations and spent most of his career with Ken Davis Industries in Fort Worth.
Tom traveled to all seven continents.
He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, where he met 18-year-old Betty at a USO dance. Tom, then 22, and Betty, 18, married a year later.
Tom ran 10 marathons, all after age 46, including races in Texas and the New York City Marathon. He ran with grit and determination and socks on his hands.
Tom was ridiculously positive and optimistic. His life was marked by strong Christian faith, deep love and commitment to his family, a strong desire for new experiences in far-flung places and a relentless ability to forge connections and friendships with people.
He was preceded in death by Piglet, the love of his life and wife of 62 years, and by his older siblings, Robert and Jean.
Tom is survived by his four children: Kerry (Keith) Bishop, Kevin (Pam) Smith, Holly (Richard) Douglass and Blake (Michelle) Smith; grandchildren Kristi (Mark) Cochran, Julie (Jeff) Lambert and Shannon (Brad) Russell, Catharine (Richie) Zeller, Eric Douglass, Cullen Smith, Madeleine Smith and Henry Smith; and great-grandchildren Nathan, Corey, Reagan, Abby, Cole and Summerlea.
A memorial service will take place at Christ Episcopal Church in Cody at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13.
