Mr. Thomas A. ""Tom"" Smith

1954 - 2013

Thomas A. "Tom" Smith of Johns Creek, Georgia, passed away on June 5, 2013, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born in Frederick, Maryland, on June 22, 1954. After graduating from Catawba College he moved to Atlanta in 1978 to attend the master's program at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Tom joined Oglethorpe Power Corporation in 1979 and worked in several financial roles. He then worked for CoBank before returning to Oglethorpe in 1999 as the corporation's president and chief executive officer. Tom touched so many lives at work, in the community, and the country through his exemplary leadership and gentle spirit.
In addition to his work at Oglethorpe, Tom was a director of ACES Power Marketing. He also was a director of the Electric Power Research Institute and chairman of its Audit Committee through April 2013. Tom was also a director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. During the years 2007-2011 Tom was named to Georgia Trend's list of the top 100 most influential Georgians. In 2003 he was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Because of his professional accomplishments, in 2012 Tom was given a very special honor when Oglethorpe renamed their Murray Energy Facility to the Thomas A. Smith Energy Facility.
Tom also enjoyed his free time. He was an avid hunter. His most prized trophy was an 1,100 pound elk taken in New Mexico. Tom was a dedicated Georgia Tech fan. Go Jackets!! He loved the lake, fishing and boating, especially as he watched his son, Kevin, wakeboard behind his boat. Later in his life Tom developed a passion for wine and enjoyed wine collecting during his travels.
Tom was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, and son, Kevin; his devoted dog, Dixie; his parents, Mary Ann and Jack Smith (Jefferson, MD); sisters Debbie Lomb and husband Ray (Middletown, MD), Barbara Manoski and husband Tom (Boiling Springs, SC), and Terri Sessoms and husband Whitt (Virginia Beach, VA); and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, June 13, at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, 9820 Nesbit Ferry Road, Johns Creek, Georgia, at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Thomas A. Smith Scholarship Fund for students of Tucker High School. Mailed donations may be made payable to Thomas A. Smith Scholarship Fund, c/o Jean L. Wheeler, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 2100 E. Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia 30084.