Tommy Joe Smith

Tommy Joe Smith, 84, of Clovis, NM, passed away peacefully in Lubbock, TX on September 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Tommy Joe was born January 24, 1941, in Oklahoma City, OK, to the late Frank and Betty Smith. He spent his early childhood in Pawhuska, OK before moving to Odessa, TX where he graduated as a standout football player from Odessa High School in 1959. He attended Eastern New Mexico University where he played Greyhound Football under coach Carl Richardson on full scholarship and made many lifelong friends. During this time, he met the love of his life, Valeria (Meier) Smith, and they were married shortly after they graduated together in 1964 from ENMU. He would go on to become a founding member of the ENMU Friends of Eastern Foundation, a member of the ENMU Alumni Association and Bench Club. He was very proud to have been inducted into the ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors for the Football Class of 2013.

Tommy Joe's early career was spent working for Phillips Petroleum before taking a leap of faith and signing a contract with Gulf Petroleum to start the Smith Oil Company in Clovis, NM in 1973. He and Valeria purchased the Clovis Oil Company in 1985, where they operated successful Chevron Convenience stations until they retired in January of 2020. He spent decades as a dedicated member of several Clovis area community organizations including the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and the Committee of Fifty.

Beyond his career, Tommy Joe was an avid golfer and could be seen on daily walks around his Colonial Park neighborhood. He was happiest when he was watching both of his boys play sports as they grew up, attending Family Day, hosting a back porch cookout with his neighbors, attending his grandkids' school events, hosting his family for holidays, and sitting on the front porch counting his blessings.

Tommy Joe is survived by his loving wife of almost 61 years, Valeria Smith; his children James Smith; Michael (Alicia) Smith of Austin, TX;

Daughter-in-law Angie (Kevin) Marple of Altus, OK; five grandchildren: Calloway Smith, Peyton Smith, Chad (Jayla) Jordan, Brady Marple, and Abbey Marple; and his sister, Jean Kiker. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Frank and Betty Smith and his baby sister, Sheri Jane.

A celebration of Tommy Joe's life will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clovis, NM, followed by a graveside burial service at Lawn Haven Cemetery.

Tommy Joe's grandchildren and nephew Robert Meier will serve as his pallbearers along with Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Les "Doc" & Jean Morrow, Dr. Jon Morrow, Roger & Mary Forester, Don Bennett, Donna Alexander, and Chet Wyant.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Eastern New Mexico University Foundation's "Carl Richardson and B.B. Lees Scholarship".

The Smith family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our family friends and the community of Clovis for the many years of love and support.

"TJ lived his life with kindness, laughter, and love-and leaves behind a legacy of family, friendship, and service."

Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, (575)762-4435.