Thomas Edward Smith

Thomas Edward Smith, age 93, passed away on May 4, 2025, in South Jordan, Utah. He was born on December 24, 1931, in Tremonton, Utah to James Simuels Smith and Rebecca King Smith. He was the 6th of 13 children.

His early childhood years were during the Great Depression. It was in these difficult times in a large family he learned to go without and make do with what he had. In his teenage years he learned the value of hard work and learned how to fix cars at his dad’s auto repair shop. In town he and his brothers were known as the “Smith Boys” with a reputation of riding motorcycles, driving fast cars and getting into mischief.

In high school he joined the swim team and took first place in the state competition in springboard diving and fourth place in the breaststroke. While still in high school he joined the Utah National Guard. Three months after graduating from high school in 1950, his unit was inducted into the United States Army and sent to fight in the Korean War. His two older brothers, Leslie and Orlin were in the same battalion with him.

While attending Utah State University he met Joan Francom at a church activity. They married on July 8, 1955, in the Logan Temple.

After their marriage Tom joined the Utah National Guard again and attended Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Utah National Guard.

In April 1957, he began working as a Welding Engineer for The Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington. After 6 years they moved to Logan, Utah where Tom enrolled in the University of Utah and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. While attending the university he taught welding classes.

After completing his Masters Degree, Tom and Joan moved their 4 children to Hawaii where he worked as a Welding Engineer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. During their time in Hawaii, they had 2 more children.

In 1974, they moved their 6 children to Garden Grove, California where he worked for the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and later he worked in Aerospace for McDonnell Douglas which was later bought out by Boeing. While working for Boeing, he received a patent on his invention of a Tube Welding Fixture. These types of clamps were used on the Delta II, Delta IV, Space Station.

Tom was known for his quiet and humble personality and for having a kind heart. He was often found providing service for his family, friends, and the church. He knew how to fix almost anything and would prefer to do his own home or car repairs, instead of hiring a professional. As a husband and father, he was a wonderful example of putting the needs and interests of wife and children before his own.

In 2018, and after living in the same house for over 40 years Tom and Joan sold their house and moved to a care facility in Utah.

Tom was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed doing genealogical research and preparing family histories. He served in various church capacities including Stake Presidency Counselor, Bishop, Bishopric Counselor, Stake Clerk, High Priest Group Leader, Young Men’s President, Scout Master, Sunday School Teacher and Temple Worker. Tom served a full-time mission for his church to South Africa and with his wife Joan he served another full-time mission in the England London South Mission.

Tom is survived by his six children; Bryan (Cheryl) Smith, Kevin (Lisa) Smith, Curtis (Sheryl) Smith, Darwin (Heather) Smith, DeNette (Ralph) Bakker, and Jeffrey (Heather) Smith; 30 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren with 5 more expected this year; and siblings Orlin, David, Paul, Julia, Emma and Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan; his parents, James and Rebecca Smith; and his siblings Vernon, Veloid, Marie, Leslie, Theral and Boyd.

Funeral services for Tom will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 11:30 A.M. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. All services will be held at the Rudd Funeral Home- Tremonton (111 N 100 E, Tremonton, UT 84337). Interment will follow the funeral service in the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery with military honors. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.