Thomas James Smith Obituary (2024)

Thomas James Smith, Sr., 81, of Naches, WA passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 13, 2024. Thomas (Tom) was born on December 19, 1942, to James and Florence Smith in Brainerd, MN. He attended school in Brainerd, MN. He spent summers working at a fishing resort along Mille Lacs Lake. This is where his love of fishing started. In his junior year of high school, Tom joined the Navy (1960-1963). In 1964, he met Maureen Green in Brainerd, MN. In 1965 they were married in Sisseton, SD. They lived in Brainerd, MN until April of 1967 when they moved to Pasco, WA. After moving to Pasco, he continued fishing. Tom also enjoyed building and flying remote controlled airplanes, as well as, building and racing remote controlled cars. Toms other interests included rock-hounding and making jewelry from the rocks he found. In 1996, Tom took up knife making and continued to make and sell his knives until his passing. Tom retired in 2008 from a career in sales and service as a Sales Manager. Tom and Maureen went on to have two children, Thomas James Smith, Jr. and Tonya Lynne Smith (Scanlan). Tom is preceded in death by his Mother (Florence Smith), Father (James Smith), Sister (Kathy Wood), and Great-Granddaughter (Rylee). He is survived by his wife (Maureen Smith), Son (Thomas Smith, Jr.), Daughter (Tonya Scanlan), two Granddaughters (who lovingly referred to him as "Grumpa") Lindsey Snyder and Lincoln Erickson, and five Great-Granddaughters - Kayden Robinson, Avery Erickson, Paityn Robinson, Kash Erickson, and (coming soon) Navy Erickson.