Thomas Herbert Smith

June 2, 1925

September 9, 2012

Surrounded in the loving arms of his family, Thomas Herbert Smith, age 87, went to be with the Lord on September 9, 2012.

A native of North Canton, Ohio, he was born June 2, 1925 to Horace Winder Smith and Agnes Elizabeth (Moledor) Smith. A graduate of North Canton High School, NoCa Class of 1943, he lettered in football and basketball. He became an Eagle Scout in Troop 10 and it was through his scouting days where his love of nature and all creatures great and small was greatly enhanced. Immediately upon his high school graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II where he served with the 86th Black Hawk Infantry Division and was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge. In 1944, by congressional appointment and "for the convenience of the government," Tom was transferred to the U.S. Navy and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Bainbridge, Maryland.

Tom obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration from Akron University, and was a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, Class of 1973. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, where he made many lifelong friends.

In 1949, following his graduation from Purdue, he began a 37 year career with the B. F. Goodrich Company. It was in 1951, while serving as Purchasing Manager of the B. F. Goodrich Tire & Tube Plant in Miami, Oklahoma, that he met and married the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Gloria (nee Ferree) Smith. In 1959, as Manager of Chemicals & Pigments Purchasing for B.F. Goodrich in Akron, Mr. Smith was chosen "Honor Buyer of the Year" by the Chemical Salesmen's Club of Cleveland, Ohio. He was named for outstanding performance in developing broader understanding and greater cooperation between purchasing and sales personnel in the chemical industry in Northeastern Ohio. Additional responsibilities with B. F. Goodrich were as Assistant to the President of the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company, Manager of Contract Purchasing of the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company, Manager of Purchasing & Traffic for the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company, and Director of Distribution for the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company. At his retirement in 1986, he was Director of Transportation for the B. F. Goodrich Tire Company. His professional organization memberships included the National Association of Purchasing Management, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Society of Plastic Engineers, and the Guild of American Transportation Specialists where he served as Vice President and Chairman of the Hazardous Materials Labeling Committee.

In his retirement, Tom volunteered for more than 20 years with the Tax Credit for the Elderly Program at the Akron Main Branch Library and Akron University. He especially enjoyed the time spent with his tennis and golf buddies and remained an avid Purdue sports rooter - Go Boilers! - be it football or basketball. Great times were had on his Oklahoma pecan farm and cattle ranch, and he and Gloria experienced many adventures as they traveled the world together.

A man of deep faith, he was a 40-year member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he was an elder, Clerk of Session, and President of the Board of Trustees. In recent years, he attended The Chapel and was a member of its Sojourners Class.

His parents, sisters, Agnes Elizabeth Smith, Marilyn Bradley Poling and brother, William Jordan Smith preceded him in death. He is survived by his devoted wife, Gloria; daughters, Celia (Russell) Davisson of Suwanee Georgia, Sarah (Gordon) Nichols of Brentwood Tennessee; son, Evan Thomas Smith of Chicago Illinois; sister, Margaret Willis; sister-in-law, Vivian Smith; beloved grandchildren, Henry, Laura and Bobby Nichols, Andrew and Sarah Anne Davisson; and niece and nephews.

To the end, he retained his great smile, gentle disposition and his ability to make instant friends. Special thanks are given to the Copley Health Center and all those who gently and lovingly cared for him.

Friends may call at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, on Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., September 13, 2012. Church service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 14, 2012 at the The Chapel, 135 Fir Hill, Akron, Ohio, the Honorable Judge Todd McKenney officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Moore's Chapel Cemetery in Bath. Memorials may be made to The Chapel (Mission Fund), 135 Fir Hill, Akron, OH 44304; the Bath Fire & Rescue, 3864 West Bath Road, Akron, OH 44333; or the Women's Board of Summa Health System Endowment Fund, 525 East Market Street, P.O. Box 2090, Akron, OH 44309.

(Billow Fairlawn Chapel)