Tommy Gerald Smith of Athens, Texas, devoted husband, father, and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ October 3, 2014 after a lengthy illness.
Born on September 25, 1932 in Mountainair, New Mexico, Tommy met Katie Homer, his soul mate of 63 years while in school in Cortez, Colorado. They were married on June 15, 1951. Tommy was in the building and lumber business in Midland, Texas until 1967 when he founded Smith Lumber Company and his home building business in Seven Points on Cedar Creek Lake. He relocated his businesses to Athens, Texas in 1969.
Tommy felt it was important to find ways to give back to the community that had supported him and his family over the years. He served as Mayor of Athens for eight years from 1975 to 1983 and subsequently held the office of Henderson County Judge for 11 years from 1990 to 2001. His leadership in business as well as in public office was characterized by integrity and the desire to honor the faith the people he served had placed in him. Tommy was well known for his sense of humor and the pleasure he found in playing practical jokes on friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hayden and Opal Smith and brother Bobby Smith.
He is survived by his devoted wife Katie Smith, and four loving children and their spouses: Pam Smith Fling and husband Doak of Georgetown, Texas, Candace Smith Hurt and husband Tom of Houston, Texas, Eric Smith and wife Tracye of Athens and Aaron “Bubba” Smith and wife Renee’ also of Athens. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Tommy has three surviving sisters: Peggy Culp of Arizona, Wini Lou Moore of Texas and Donna Hamilton also of Texas.
Family and friends will gather Sunday Evening, October 5, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home at 842 S.E. Loop 7 in Athens, Texas.
We will be celebrating Tommy’s journey to the feet of Jesus Monday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Living for the Brand Cowboy Church located at 902 Northeast Loop 7 in Athens, Texas. The family invites all who knew and loved Tommy to join in the celebration.
Pallbearers will be the employees of Smith Lumber Company: Murray Abendroth, Chris Stark, Carol Kennedy, Daniel Jarrett, Jason Tatum, Josh Hofstetter, Kevin Stegall, Kenneth Blevins, Jimmy Boyd and Jarren Robertson.
Honorary pallbearers are Robert Lane, Noel Tumlinson, Danny Tidmore, Charlie Tidmore, Don Rowell, Larry Thomas, Jack Ward, R. C. Spitzer, Bob Foster and Janie Cole.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staffs of Bristol Hospice Pathways and Park Highlands Nursing Home as well as Natasha Coggins and Brittany Brazier for their tender and loving care of Tommy in the past months.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Living for the Brand Cowboy Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2178, Athens, Texas 75751; Bristol Hospice Pathways, LLC, 115 Park Place Blvd., Suite 100, Waxahachie, TX 75165; Hope Springs Water, 216 S. Palestine, Athens, TX 75751 or any other chosen charity.