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Thomas Smith Obituary
Thomas C. (Tom) Smith of Phoenix, passed away May 25, 2014. Born on the 16th of March, 1927 in St. Paul, MN, Tom graduated from Humboldt High School on the West side of St. Paul in 1944. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Pvt. At the age of 17, and served in three wars, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He retired in 1968 as a Lt. Col. after 24 years of service. After retiring from the Marine Corp, Tom earned a Teaching Certificate, MA and Administrative Certificate in Education from ASU. He served in the Scottsdale Unified School District for 17 years as a Teacher at Hopi elementary and a Principal at Hohokam Elementary, Ingleside Middle School and Chaparral High School. He also served on the Scottsdale School District Governing Board. In March of 1991, Tom was appointed to serve in the State House of Representatives. He served as a Republican Representative from District 26 for eight years. In 1999 he was elected to serve in the State Senate as a Senator from District 26. He served in that capacity for four years. He was a life member of numerous military and veteran organizations. Tom is survived by his wife, Sarah Jane Smith and six children; Mary Yocum of CA, Michael (JoAnn) Smith of AZ, Ann Smith of AZ, John Smith of GA, Joan Smith of CA and Patrick (Suzanne) Smith of AZ; one stepdaughter, Anne McIntire of AZ, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening, May 29th at Messinger Mortuary. 7601 E. Indian School Road in Scottsdale, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 30th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7655 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, with a reception immediately following. At Tom's request, please, please, no donations, sympathy cards or flowers. In lieu of this, take your spouse, companion, friend, neighbor, or whoever, for a night out and have one in honor of Tom. There will be a private burial at the National Memorial Park of Arizona in Phoenix.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Smith
John Keegan
May 23, 2019
Well done, colonel. Carry on.
June 19, 2014
What a fine gentleman we had in our community. My husband, Barry Starr, worked with him over the years and always had the utmost respect for the way he did business. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I hope your memories bring you peace...
Gayle Starr
May 30, 2014
thanks for being a great and patient teacher and principal... and a great American! i went to your final resting place today,.. goodbye Mr Smith
Joni Hoffman
May 30, 2014
Arizona is a better place because of Tom Smith. It was a privilege working for him when he served as a State Senator. He took his work seriously but was eternally cheerful. He will be missed.
David & Joyce Schweikert
May 30, 2014
A life well lived with honor & distinction!
April Manchester-Miller
May 30, 2014
He was truly one of the great Statesmen of our time and a gentleman of the highest degree. Col. Smith was the man responsible for getting me into the Legislature after the events of 9/11, and I will forever remember him for his kindness and his genuine love for fellow veterans and their families.
In the years since meeting The Colonel I would run into him at the Capitol or at an event honoring veterans and he was always quick with a smile and a hug and that no-BS glint in his eye.
While I join the thousands of people who are deeply saddened by the loss of this wonderful man, I take comfort in knowing that he is waiting for me in Heaven with my Dad and my Father....and the world is a better place for having had Tom Smith as it's friend and champion.
Semper Fi, Colonel.
Andy Flowers & Tim Robinson
May 29, 2014
We didn't know Tom but know his awesome grandchild. He was obviously very smart and an amazing leader. I'm looking forward to a night out in his honor. We love you Margie!
Sheri Storace Melliere
May 29, 2014
Every morning he'd say, "Have a beautiful Arizona day". What a wonderful man of service.
Ingleside Class of 1979
Jerry&Linda Begalman
May 29, 2014
Tom was truly committed to the USA as well as whatever tasks he undertook-- And he performed with excellence in what he engaged in--family---military-- government fitness- He was an incredibly responsible man who became an icon in the world of Arizona and elsewhere--Hid bright smile and positive personality will be missed by all who knew Tom--
Ken Bennett
May 29, 2014
If you want a definition of HONOR, DUTY, and INTEGRITY; in my mind it is Tom Smith. It was an honor and privilege for me to serve with "The Colonel" in the State Senate. Arizona is a better place because of him. His dedication to his family, and the children and citizens of Arizona is an example we should all emulate. God Bless Tom and his entire family.
Cathie McGinnis
May 29, 2014
Joan and Mary, I am so sorry about your dad. My boys are flying in tomorrow for a visit, otherwise I would be there tomorrow. My prayers are with you...
Bill Boyd
May 29, 2014
I am honored that I got to know him over the past few years and got to call him my friend. He reinforced the value of honesty, respect, and two fingers of scotch. I will miss him.
Jeff Hustad
May 29, 2014
I was blessed to have Mr. Smith as my Principal at Hohokam. He was such a great man and I will always remember him giving all us kids "spaghetti" hand shakes. He was a man that got involved with the students, faculty, and parents. Mr. Smith, Thank You for just being you and caring.
Andrea Dersch
May 29, 2014
Mr. Smith was my principal at Hohkam. He guided me and inspired me, even helping me get my first teaching job years later. He wrote me notes and left phone messages when I received awards during my career. That just doesn't happen anymore. A great man.
Michael & Dianna Lugo
May 29, 2014
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow....
Kim Bonnett
May 29, 2014
Pat sorry for your loss.
May 29, 2014
Children
May 29, 2014
We have many fond memories of Tom. He was a great friend, educator, mentor and had a interesting sense of humor. Men like Tom Smith are difficult to find.
Dick and Jan Anderson
May 29, 2014
Lt.Col.Smith
May 29, 2014
Vietnam
May 29, 2014
Korea
May 29, 2014
PFC-WWII
Laura E Chavez
May 29, 2014
Tom Smith played such an important role in my life and in the life of Margaret and Daniel Smith,two of his grandchildren. He was a strength to me in difficult times and his affirmations about life will remain with me always.
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC
May 29, 2014
God Bless/RIP,to ALL who served in WWII. The USA would NOT be as it is today.Thank YOU for your 28 yrs.of service.In WWII-Pvt.Smith,then Korea,Then Nam,THEN Retired-Lt.Col.Smith.And one more; Then Served the Children of Arizona."Stand down Lt.Col.Smith,your mission is done.We'll take it from here".Semper Fi
Dianne Smith
May 29, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the family on your loss! We will always remember his words of wisdom: why do we need this bill?"
John & Lisa Keegan
May 29, 2014
Tom's life of service to the nation and the community has been an inspiration to us all.
Bonnie (Root) Rainsford
May 29, 2014
My sympathies go out to his family. I will always remember him from Ingelside when he taught me how to mop properly. I also remember him enjoying many ASU baseball games where we sat across the aisle from each other.
Sally Jo Geyer
May 29, 2014
Tom's "can do" attitude and "fantastic" (regarding how he was doing) will always be remembered by me and those who knew him. Tom's honesty, integrity, and perseverance during hard times will always be a model we all should follow.
Steve Placek
May 29, 2014
My heartfelt condolences to Tom's family, and my deepest respect for his lifetime of service. May you rest in eternal peace.
Susie Danesi
May 29, 2014
He was an awesome man. My sympathies go out to his family.
Susie Donovan Danesi
John Hooper
May 29, 2014
Legionary man I admired this man as a child and in my adult hood, always had a smile and kind words for all around him. I had the privilege of knowing Tom Smith throughout my life.
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