Thomas V Smith *
Thomas Victor Smith, son of the late Robert Glenn Smith, Jr and Martha “Ellie” Ellen (Shockey) Smith, departed this life on October 20th, 2024 at the age of 84.
Thomas was born in South Fork, Moorefield, WV on June 7th, 1940. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorthy Ann Reel, Linda Elizabeth Titch and three brothers, Harold Glenn Smith, Robert McClure Smith and Donald Dean Smith.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Betty Sun, daughter Martha (Betsy) Elizabeth and husband Andrew “A.Jay” Jay Root and his three grandchildren Peyton Jay, Brayden Jay and Jayden Elizabeth who were his pride and joy. He is also survived by two brothers, Joseph Earnest Smith and wife Brenda of Union City, PA, Blair Edward Smith of Keyser, WV and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was a 1958 Class Member of Keyser High School and in 2007 became the first recipient of the Veteran’s Diploma from Keyser High School and Mineral County Schools. He also attended Potomac State College, the University of Missouri, and the University of Maryland.
Tom joined the service in 1956 at the age of 16. He retired with 27 years of service from the United States Army as a Master Sergeant and was a Combat Veteran of the Vietnam War. When he moved back to the area, he joined the U.S. Postal Service in Piedmont WV and subsequently retired with 16 years of service.
Tom was a life member of the VFW Post 6775 in McCoole, MD, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9, and the American Legion Post 41 in Keyser, WV.
At Tom’s request there will be no public visitation, however, the family would like to invite all extended family and friends for the graveside military service with honors to be held at Potomac Memorial Gardens on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the New Creek Fire Department, P.O. Box 10, New Creek, WV 26743.
The Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
It was at the request of Tom that the following poem be included in his obituary:
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile
Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I’ve had loads of fun
Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day
Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Smith Funeral Home-Keyser Chapel on Oct. 22, 2024.