Thomas
Thomas Watson Smith,
d. December 23, 2017
Thomas Watson Smith Jr., 88 passed away peacefully at home December 23, 2017, surrounded by his family.
Tom was a native Savannahian and a graduate of Savannah High School. He joined the Army and served as a corporal in the Army Security Agency. He attended The University of South Carolina where he met his wife of 65 years, Joan Shelamer Smith, who preceded him in death in 2015. It was at USC that he developed an interest in radio and television and soon became a pioneer in the television broadcasting industry. He created characters and talk shows and is still remembered as one of the Cap\'n Sandy weathermen for WSAV in the early 1960\'s. Under the pseudonym of \"Steve Thomas\" his rise in broadcasting and television management soon took him to Washington, DC at WMAL TV. But God intervened and led him to Christian Broadcasting Network in Portsmouth, VA where he became the Vice President/General Manager of the television station started by Pat Robertson, WYAH. Tom was an avid golfer most of his life and enjoyed many golf trips with friends. As a broadcaster he was able to work and attend The Masters Golf tournament. Two years ago he had to give up golf which gave him more time for his other hobby of painting, producing many quality acrylics and watercolors to be enjoyed by his family and friends. A legacy of love. Tom was very active in the Episcopal Church for seventy years as a vestry member, Cursillo and Ultreya leader, Faith Alive, and as a Lay Minister. He and his wife Joan were a strong partnership for God\'s work. In his own words, Tom said that he had been greatly blessed and has had a wonderful life.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his four children: Rick Alan Smith, Lori Benassi Parker (Bill), Mark Thomas Smith, Karen Shelamer Simms (Kevin); his nephew, J. Stephens 'Steve' Smith, Jr. (Margaret) and niece, Susan Smith Wood; his grandchildren, Ryan Smith, Aaron Smith, Miranda Smith, Justin Benassi, and Joshua Smith, and his great-grandchildren, Aiden and Jaxon Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Watson Smith, Sr. and Oma Stephens Smith, and one brother, James Stephens Smith, all of Savannah.
The visitation will be from 1 until 2 o\'clock Saturday, January 6, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service - 410 Stephenson Avenue, with a Celebration of Life service following in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service. Interment will be private.
Tom was a native Savannahian and a graduate of Savannah High School. He joined the Army and served as a corporal in the Army Security Agency. He attended The University of South Carolina where he met his wife of 65 years, Joan Shelamer Smith, who preceded him in death in 2015. It was at USC that he developed an interest in radio and television and soon became a pioneer in the television broadcasting industry. He created characters and talk shows and is still remembered as one of the Cap\'n Sandy weathermen for WSAV in the early 1960\'s. Under the pseudonym of \"Steve Thomas\" his rise in broadcasting and television management soon took him to Washington, DC at WMAL TV. But God intervened and led him to Christian Broadcasting Network in Portsmouth, VA where he became the Vice President/General Manager of the television station started by Pat Robertson, WYAH. Tom was an avid golfer most of his life and enjoyed many golf trips with friends. As a broadcaster he was able to work and attend The Masters Golf tournament. Two years ago he had to give up golf which gave him more time for his other hobby of painting, producing many quality acrylics and watercolors to be enjoyed by his family and friends. A legacy of love. Tom was very active in the Episcopal Church for seventy years as a vestry member, Cursillo and Ultreya leader, Faith Alive, and as a Lay Minister. He and his wife Joan were a strong partnership for God\'s work. In his own words, Tom said that he had been greatly blessed and has had a wonderful life.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his four children: Rick Alan Smith, Lori Benassi Parker (Bill), Mark Thomas Smith, Karen Shelamer Simms (Kevin); his nephew, J. Stephens 'Steve' Smith, Jr. (Margaret) and niece, Susan Smith Wood; his grandchildren, Ryan Smith, Aaron Smith, Miranda Smith, Justin Benassi, and Joshua Smith, and his great-grandchildren, Aiden and Jaxon Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Watson Smith, Sr. and Oma Stephens Smith, and one brother, James Stephens Smith, all of Savannah.
The visitation will be from 1 until 2 o\'clock Saturday, January 6, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service - 410 Stephenson Avenue, with a Celebration of Life service following in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service. Interment will be private.
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