Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Thomas SMITH Obituary
SMITH, Thomas Albers
Thomas Albers Smith, age 95, of Kettering passed away on January 11, 2021. May he share his joy with Jesus and all the saints in heaven.
Born May 1, 1925, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the fourth son of Earl A. and Cecelia G. Smith. He attended Corpus Christi grade school, Chaminade High School class of 1943 and the University of Dayton for 3 years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp during World War II. After proudly serving for two years as a 2nd Lieutenant as a U.S. Army Air Corps Navigator in a B-24 Liberator, he
returned to the University of Dayton pre-law school. He then attended law school at the University of Cincinnati and
Salmon P. Chase College of Law and passed the bar exam in 1950.
After a brief practice of law, he entered the insurance business. Together, he and his brother Larry owned the
successful Kettering Insurance Agency until his retirement in December 2009.
He lost the love of his life, Marilou Wald Smith, his beautiful wife of 72 years, January 7, 2021. Their lifelong marriage was a true love story. After the war they met through the
Tri-Chi-Corpus Christi Church. They "courted" about a year and a half and they would tie the knot on August 28, 1948. It was a romance made in heaven. He relished his role as the City of Kettering's "First Man" while Marilou served as the
City's Mayor from 1998-2006.
Tom and Marilou were blessed with seven wonderful children, Jennifer (Rick) Winkeller, McCall, Idaho, Shelley (Ron) Brinkman, Morrow, Ohio, Scott (Ann) Smith, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Michelle (Chris) Dralle, Bozeman, Montana, Lissa Smith (Helen Gerakios, deceased), Richmond, Virginia, formerly Sydney, Australia, Susan (Marc) Gaunce, Columbus, Ohio, Stasia (Chris) Shephard, Oakwood, Ohio; and grandchildren, Drew (Noelle) Brinkman, Shannon Brinkman, Lauren Allen, Christopher Smith, Abbey (Mike Hoey) Smith, Joseph Procunier, Samuel (Jodi) Procunier, Rachel and Mitchell Gaunce (Maxwell Gaunce, deceased), David, Sophie, Charlotte and Sally Shephard; and beloved great-grandchildren, Zeke
Allen, Luke and Josh Brinkman and Dominic Hoey. As a
couple, they were extremely proud that all their children graduated from Ohio universities.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Robert E. Smith (Hortense), Kenneth Smith (Helen), Hugh Smith (Sarah), Jeanne McEwan (Gilbert), Dorothy Sigman (Burley) and James Smith (Gloria). Surviving sibling Lawrence Smith (Mary Lou) lives in Kettering and sister-in-law, Gloria (James), is a resident of Oakwood.
During Tom's busy career he was affiliated with numerous organizations: American Legion Post #0598; Thomas E. Wood Ins, Underwriter; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling, Attorneys; Northwestern Mutual Life, sales - CLU; Sucher Packing Co., personnel manager; Army Air Corps navigator and
bombardier aerial gunner.
He was also a member of the Dayton Bar Association; Personnel Managers Association; President and Board Member of Dayton Catholic Charities; KMO Chamber of Commerce;
Kettering Sister City Committee and the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Tom appreciated Drs. Campbell and Busch for their medical expertise over the past 30 years. Also, special thanks to the staff at HarborChase, Beavercreek and Dr. Nicholas Bellanco as well as their staff and Kettering Hospital for the care they gave Tom throughout the years.
Tom never met a stranger. He enjoyed history, reading, refinishing furniture and was a TV sports enthusiast. He was a lifelong UD Flyer fan. He lived by his favorite saying, "Boy, am I enthusiastic!"
Thank you to all the extended family, neighbors and friends that have celebrated with, loved, encouraged and supported Tom over the years. He enjoyed life to its fullest.
There will be a small private graveside service at Calvary Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is planned when it is safe to gather again, hopefully, in the Summer of 2021. It was his wish that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to St.
Vincent de Paul Society, 1540 Brownleigh Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429 or at https://stvincentdayton.org/how-to-donate/
Arrangements by The Westbrock Funeral Home.
Thomas Albers Smith, age 95, of Kettering passed away on January 11, 2021. May he share his joy with Jesus and all the saints in heaven.
Born May 1, 1925, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the fourth son of Earl A. and Cecelia G. Smith. He attended Corpus Christi grade school, Chaminade High School class of 1943 and the University of Dayton for 3 years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp during World War II. After proudly serving for two years as a 2nd Lieutenant as a U.S. Army Air Corps Navigator in a B-24 Liberator, he
returned to the University of Dayton pre-law school. He then attended law school at the University of Cincinnati and
Salmon P. Chase College of Law and passed the bar exam in 1950.
After a brief practice of law, he entered the insurance business. Together, he and his brother Larry owned the
successful Kettering Insurance Agency until his retirement in December 2009.
He lost the love of his life, Marilou Wald Smith, his beautiful wife of 72 years, January 7, 2021. Their lifelong marriage was a true love story. After the war they met through the
Tri-Chi-Corpus Christi Church. They "courted" about a year and a half and they would tie the knot on August 28, 1948. It was a romance made in heaven. He relished his role as the City of Kettering's "First Man" while Marilou served as the
City's Mayor from 1998-2006.
Tom and Marilou were blessed with seven wonderful children, Jennifer (Rick) Winkeller, McCall, Idaho, Shelley (Ron) Brinkman, Morrow, Ohio, Scott (Ann) Smith, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Michelle (Chris) Dralle, Bozeman, Montana, Lissa Smith (Helen Gerakios, deceased), Richmond, Virginia, formerly Sydney, Australia, Susan (Marc) Gaunce, Columbus, Ohio, Stasia (Chris) Shephard, Oakwood, Ohio; and grandchildren, Drew (Noelle) Brinkman, Shannon Brinkman, Lauren Allen, Christopher Smith, Abbey (Mike Hoey) Smith, Joseph Procunier, Samuel (Jodi) Procunier, Rachel and Mitchell Gaunce (Maxwell Gaunce, deceased), David, Sophie, Charlotte and Sally Shephard; and beloved great-grandchildren, Zeke
Allen, Luke and Josh Brinkman and Dominic Hoey. As a
couple, they were extremely proud that all their children graduated from Ohio universities.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Robert E. Smith (Hortense), Kenneth Smith (Helen), Hugh Smith (Sarah), Jeanne McEwan (Gilbert), Dorothy Sigman (Burley) and James Smith (Gloria). Surviving sibling Lawrence Smith (Mary Lou) lives in Kettering and sister-in-law, Gloria (James), is a resident of Oakwood.
During Tom's busy career he was affiliated with numerous organizations: American Legion Post #0598; Thomas E. Wood Ins, Underwriter; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling, Attorneys; Northwestern Mutual Life, sales - CLU; Sucher Packing Co., personnel manager; Army Air Corps navigator and
bombardier aerial gunner.
He was also a member of the Dayton Bar Association; Personnel Managers Association; President and Board Member of Dayton Catholic Charities; KMO Chamber of Commerce;
Kettering Sister City Committee and the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Tom appreciated Drs. Campbell and Busch for their medical expertise over the past 30 years. Also, special thanks to the staff at HarborChase, Beavercreek and Dr. Nicholas Bellanco as well as their staff and Kettering Hospital for the care they gave Tom throughout the years.
Tom never met a stranger. He enjoyed history, reading, refinishing furniture and was a TV sports enthusiast. He was a lifelong UD Flyer fan. He lived by his favorite saying, "Boy, am I enthusiastic!"
Thank you to all the extended family, neighbors and friends that have celebrated with, loved, encouraged and supported Tom over the years. He enjoyed life to its fullest.
There will be a small private graveside service at Calvary Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is planned when it is safe to gather again, hopefully, in the Summer of 2021. It was his wish that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to St.
Vincent de Paul Society, 1540 Brownleigh Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429 or at https://stvincentdayton.org/how-to-donate/
Arrangements by The Westbrock Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Dayton Daily News on Jan. 17, 2021.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas SMITH
Sponsored by Westbrock Funeral Home - Kettering.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Thomas SMITH's name
Memorial Events
for Thomas SMITH
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas SMITH's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
