Thomas Earl Smith, 81, of Orange, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with his family by his side at The Orange Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with grandson, Michael Procella officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City with Reverend Gerald Little officiating.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, prior to the funeral service.
Born in Hemphill, Texas on December 29, 1931, Tom was the son of Thomas Frank Smith and Maxie Anderson Smith. As he was growing up, Tom lived in numerous states following his father who worked in the lumber industry. Later, after growing up in Beaumont he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served during the Korean War. He then attended college in Conway, Arkansas. Upon returning to Orange he met and married the m other of his four daughters, Karen Bishop Smith. He worked as a lab analyst for Crown Zellerbach and also during this time he would often substitute at the local schools. After his retirement, he worked at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville.
Mr. Smith was a very kind, loving, and Christian man who was quite the practical jokester. His four daughters were the most important people in his life whom he loved and protected.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Frances Poindexter.
Tom is survived by his four daughters, Claudette Lalonde, Pam Hinds and husband, David, Tommilyn Procella and husband, Mike, all of Orange and Cyndi Khoury and husband, Joe of Bridge City. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eric Fisher and wife, Eliane of Cypress, Marcus Lalonde, II, David Hinds, Jr. and wife, Morgan, Brandi Claybar and husband, Warren, Michael Procella, April Procella all of Orange, Brittany Lemoine and husband, Chad of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Joey Khoury and wife, Lacey of Houston, and Josh Khoury of Orange; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Nelda Smith of Atascocita and Frankie Joe Heutess of Arkansas; and brother, Charles Smith and wife, Carlene of Arkansas.
Serving as Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren, Eric Fisher, David Hinds, Jr., Michael Procella, Joey Khoury, Marcus Lalonde, II and Josh Khoury.
His greatest enjoyment in life was his four daughters and grandchildren. He was known for his great love for his four girls, "Smith girls".
The family would like to thank Angie Whittington and all the staff at the Waffle House for their love and hospitality shown to "Mr. Tom" for many years. He appreciated them dearly.