Thomas Albers Smith

Thomas Albers Smith, age 95, of Kettering passed away on January 11, 2021. May he share his joy with Jesus and all the saints in heaven.
Born May 1, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio, he was the fourth son of Earl A. and Cecelia G. Smith. He attended Corpus Christi grade school, Chaminade High School class of 1943 and the University of Dayton for 3 years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp during World War II. After proudly serving for two years as a 2nd Lieutenant as a U.S. Army Air Corps Navigator in a B-24 Liberator, he returned to the University of Dayton pre-law school. He then attended law school at the University of Cincinnati and Salmon P. Chase College of Law and passed the bar exam in 1950.
After a brief practice of law, he entered the insurance business. Together, he and his brother Larry owned the successful Kettering Insurance Agency until his retirement in December 2009.
He lost the love of his life, Marilou Wald Smith, his beautiful wife of 72 years, January 7, 2021. Their lifelong marriage was a true love story. After the war they met through the Tri-Chi-Corpus Christi Church. They "courted" about a year and a half and they would tie the knot on August 28, 1948. It was a romance made in heaven. He relished his role as the City of Kettering’s “First Man” while Marilou served as the City’s Mayor from 1998-2006.
Tom and Marilou were blessed with seven wonderful children, Jennifer (Rick) Winkeller, McCall, Idaho; Shelley (Ron) Brinkman, Morrow, Ohio; Scott (Ann) Smith, Grand Blanc, Michigan; Michelle (Chris) Dralle, Bozeman, Montana; Lissa Smith (Helen Gerakios, deceased), Richmond, Virginia, formerly Sydney, Australia; Susan (Marc) Gaunce, Columbus, Ohio; Stasia (Chris) Shephard, Oakwood, Ohio; and grandchildren, Drew (Noelle) Brinkman, Shannon Brinkman, Lauren Allen, Christopher Smith, Abbey (Mike Hoey) Smith, Joseph Procunier, Samuel (Jodi) Procunier, Rachel and Mitchell Gaunce (Maxwell Gaunce, deceased); David, Sophie, Charlotte and Sally Shephard and beloved great-grandchildren Zeke Allen, Luke and Josh Brinkman and Dominic Hoey. As a couple, they were extremely proud that all their children graduated from Ohio universities.
He was preceded in death by siblings; Robert E. Smith (Hortense), Kenneth Smith (Helen), Hugh Smith (Sarah), Jeanne McEwan (Gilbert), Dorothy Sigman (Burley) and James Smith (Gloria). Surviving sibling Lawrence Smith (Mary Lou) lives in Kettering and sister-in-law, Gloria (James), is a resident of Oakwood.
During Tom's busy career he was affiliated with numerous organizations: American Legion Post #0598; Thomas E Wood Ins, Underwriter; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling, Attorneys; Northwestern Mutual Life, sales - CLU; Sucher Packing Co., personnel manager; Army Air Corps navigator and bombardier aerial gunner.
He was also a member of the Dayton Bar Association; Personnel Managers Association; President and Board Member of Dayton Catholic Charities; KMO Chamber of Commerce; Kettering Sister City Committee and the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Tom appreciated Drs. Campbell and Busch for their medical expertise over the past 30 years. Also, special thanks to the staff at Harbor Chase, Beavercreek and Dr. Nicholas Bellanco as well as their staff and Kettering Hospital for the care they gave Tom throughout the years.
Tom never met a stranger. He enjoyed history, reading, refinishing furniture and was a TV sports enthusiast. He was a lifelong UD Flyer fan. He lived by his favorite saying, "Boy, am I enthusiastic!"
Thank you to all the extended family, neighbors and friends that have celebrated with, loved, encouraged and supported Tom over the years. He enjoyed life to its fullest.
There will be a small private graveside service at Calvary Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is planned when it is safe to gather again, hopefully, in the Summer of 2021. It was his wish that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1540 Brownleigh Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429 or at https://stvincentdayton.org/how-to-donate/