Thomas Dixon Smith

Thomas Dixon Smith, Sr., passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Derby, KS.

Tom was born August 24, 1931 in Wildhorse, OK, to Thelma (Manry) and Earl Dixon Smith. His father, Earl, passed away from cancer when Tom was 5 or 6 years old. He had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. While in school, Tom worked as a paper boy in Pawhuska. He was a graduate of Pawhuska High School. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a central repairman – typist-electrician. On April 29, 1954, he was discharged from active service.

Tom met Bette Jean Hurd in Wynona, OK shortly before he went into the service. When he returned to Pawhuska, he looked for Bette Jean. Sadly, her mother had passed away, and she had moved to Wichita, KS, where she was working as a waitress. He found where she was living in a big apartment house. When he knocked on her door, Bette asked "Who is it?", to which he replied, "Tom Smith". They came back to Pawhuska and were married, with Tom's Granny Smith and mother, Thelma, serving as the witnesses. Following their marriage, the Smiths moved to Wynona. To the marriage, their two children were born: Thomas Dixon Smith, Jr., and Joni Elaine Smith.

Tom attended college at OSU in Stillwater, OK. He worked for the Pawhuska Daily Journal Capital while Tommy and Joni went to school in Wynona through the fourth grade. The family moved to Wichita, KS, and Tom worked at The Wichita Eagle and Beacon job shop and newspaper office. He served there for 35 years until his retirement.

The family had lived in Wichita and Mulvane, then and Derby, KS, to live beside their daughter. Tom came to visit family often and attended various events while there. He loved boating, hunting and fishing. He also loved attending Wichita State baseball and basketball games. He was also an OSU Cowboys fan and attended numerous games there as well. Tom liked gardening, helping others, giving the food he raised and spending time with family until the end. He liked motorcycles, fast cars and dune buggies at Waynoka. He never argued, never raised his voice, laughed at the animals and helped fix everything. I would say he couldn't wait until something needed fixed or broke down.

Tom was always meticulously dressed – his hair was always styled and combed. He was always smiling. Dad never told us "no" – never spanked us, because he said he didn't want us mad at him.

Tom is survived by his wife, Bette Jean Smith, and daughter, Joni Elaine Smith Darling. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas Dixon Smith, Jr.; brothers Doyle Dean Smith, Wade Smith, J.C. Smith, and L.C. Smith; sisters Fern Smith Tracy and Coleen Smith Hahn.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 2:00PM, in the Pawhuska City Cemetery, Pawhuska, OK. Pastor Tracy Fitzgerald officiated.

Military Honors were provided by The Patriot Riders and American Legion Post 198, Pawhuska.