Born in Longmont, Colo. to Herbert and Olive Smith, John ‘Tom’ Thomas Smith grew up on a farm producing feed Corn in Berthoud, Colo.
He joined the United States Air Force as a jet turbine mechanic shortly before meeting the love of his life, Wanita Rose Currier, in 1959. Tom and Wanita married in 1962 in Hoxie, Kan. They moved to Oregon in 1962 as well in search of a life as unique as their love story. He attended Lane Community College and received a certificate of completion as a tool-and-die-maker.
Tom and Wanita had two children, Scott and Jacqueline, in Lane County, Oregon after buying and building their forever home in Creswell.
Tom and Wanita started Tom Smith Fiberglass in 1972, creating a variety of custom products before being purchased by Scott and managed until present day. The family faced the tragic loss of Jackie to a car accident in 1987.
Tom and Wanita graciously donated to the Creswell Rural Fire Department, funds to purchase their first hydraulic rescue tools in her honor. Tom was a man of many hats in his time but most importantly of all, loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather strike the truest.
Tom was a man loved by all who had an opportunity to know him, a gentleman of unwavering kindness who could always be depended on for a silly joke, innocent prank or a solution to any problem life threw at anyone who asked for a hand.
Tom could be easily recognized cruising through town in his little red Volkswagen dune buggy dubbed Lucy 1 on his way for his daily coffee or on his John Deere Tractor caring for his property.
Tom volunteered his time as President of the Creswell Pioneer Cemetery for more than 20 years, member of the Jaycees, neighborhood watch and in his final years was a member of the Elks Lodge #1904 in Cottage Grove.
For years after their retirement, Tom and Wanita traveled the country by travel trailer and motorcoach. Tom and Wanita enjoyed both their time on the road as well as on their slice of paradise on their property in Creswell.
Tom is preceded in death by his daughter Jacqueline and survived by his loving wife, Wanita of 59 years; brother Mark Smith; son Scott Smith; grandchildren Stephanie and Luis Mendoza and Tanner Smith; and great-grandchildren Sol, Liliana and Everly Mendoza.
A celebration of life will be set for this summer.
