Dr. Thomas J. Smith was born on January 16, 1927 in Okemah, Oklahoma to T.J. & Ruby Mae (Hale) Smith. He passed from this life on October 29, 2007 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 80 years, 9 months & 13 days.

"Tom" was a longtime Stillwater resident that had recently moved to Tulsa with his wife to be near their daughter. He received his elementary and secondary education in the rural schools of Seminole County, Oklahoma and was a member of the 1944 Butner High School graduating class. He attended Oklahoma A&M College in the fall of 1944 prior to volunteering for the United States Navy. Upon his return from the Navy, he enrolled in and completed his B.S. in Education degree in January, 1950 from East Central College in Ada, OK, his M.S. degree from Oklahoma A&M College in 1955 and his Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University in 1966. He served as a teacher in the Seminole County schools from 1950 to 1954 and was a graduate assistant in the Oklahoma A&M College of Education from 1954 to 1955. From 1956 to 1978 he worked for the Oklahoma City Public Schools. His career there included the assistant principal for US Grant Jr-Sr. High School, Director of Purchasing, Assistant Business Manager, Director of Research and Statistics, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. He worked for Oklahoma State University from 1978 to 1988 where he served as the Professor of Educational Administration, Director of Education Extension and Coordinator of the University Center at Tulsa. He also served the Ponca City Public Schools from 1990 to 1991 as their Interim Superintendent. Though he worked very hard, he also found time for many different hobbies and activities. Some of his favorites included spending time at the lake with his family, restoring antique clocks and restoring automobiles, especially the rotary engine Mazdas that he was so fond of. His family always marveled that he could fix anything he could get his hands on.

He is survived by his loving wife; Betty J. Smith of Tulsa, daughters; Judith and her husband David Lynch of New York, Nancy and her husband Dr. Tom Shirley of Altus, OK, Janie Burroughs of Arlington, TX and Dr. Jill and her husband Jeff Hough of Tulsa, sons; Shawn and his wife Doretta of Alice, TX and Scott and his wife Debbie of Owasso, OK, 1 sister; June O'Donnell of Tecumseh, OK, 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, colleagues and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother; Donald Smith and 1 brother-in-law; Dee O'Donnell.

Casket bearers will be members of the family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, the Lymphoma Research Foundation or the Good Shepherd Hospice of Tulsa.