Tom Smith

Thomas Eastwood Smith IV

1966-2026

Thomas Eastwood Smith IV died at his home in Chadron, Nebraska, on February 21, 2026.

Tom was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Thomas Eastwood Smith III and Roslyn Russell Smith. He later lived with his father and stepmother in Wichita, Kansas.

On October 25, 2003, Tom and Jeanice Caporaso were joined in marriage in Buena Vista, Colorado. They later welcomed the birth of their two children, Jackson Caporaso Smith and Thomas Eastwood Smith IV.

Tom received a PhD in History from the University of Nebraska. After several teaching assistant positions, he became a full professor at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanice Caporaso, and two children, daughter Jackson Caporaso Smith, and son Thomas Eastwood Smith V, sisters Jennifer Leigh Smith and Mollie Smith Myers, brother Jacob Smith, mother Roslyn Smith, stepmother Mary Jo Taylor, and six nephews, Marc Stephens, Emerson Utter, Jameson O’Rourke, AJ Smith, Leo Smith, and Issaac Smith who will miss him sorely.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Eastwood Smith III, and his sister, Kristina Marie Smith.

Memorial Services for Tom will be held on March 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, NE, and will be followed by a reception at the Bean Broker.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.