Celebrating the life of
Thomas Argo Smith, Jr.
August 08, 1924 - September 15, 2008
Thomas Argo Smith, Jr.
SAVANNAH - Thomas Argo Smith, Jr., Age 84, died unexpectedly Monday September 15th at Rivers Edge Retirement Center while convalescing from recent surgery. He was born on August 8th, 1924, son of the late Thomas Argo Smith, Sr and Stella Gerken Smith, and the grandson of Claus and Lena Siem Gerken Entelman and Albert H. Entelman. He was pre-deceased by his wife Delle Vann Smith and his sister Alberta Smith Gillespie.
Tommy was born and raised in Savannah, GA. He grew up above Gerkens Grocerteria at Price and Gwinnett Streets. He spent his summers at the beloved family beach house, the "Alberta", on Tybee Island. He attended the Pape School, the Massie School, Chatham Jr. High School, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. immediately after high school graduation, was a member of the 6th Marine division, and participated in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. Upon honorable discharge, he enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Georgia Tech he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and was a lifelong participant. He was called back for duty for the Korean War which delayed his graduation until 1952. Shortly after graduation he became a licensed civil engineer and began his life's work at the Corps of Engineers. He subsequently worked at Thomas and Hutton, the City of Savannah as Assistant City Engineer and became County Engineer in 1974. He retired as County Engineer in 1986.
He was a baptized and confirmed member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension and attended services regularly. He served on Church Council and numerous committees. He was a founding member of the German Heritage Society; a member of the German Friendly Society, the Savannah Yacht Club, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 1970 he co-founded South Atlantic Utilities which has grown into a regional operator of water and wastewater systems in Southeast Georgia.
He loved being a civil engineer. He was an avid Georgia Tech fan and rarely missed a home game. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and joke. He loved being German and being a Savannian.
He is survived by his loving companion of 30 years Elizabeth Oleson, her son Freddie and his wife Denise, his sons Mark V. and Kim Smith and children Delle and Gowan, Thomas Argo Smith, III, and Donald S. and Charlean Smith and children Benjamin and Melissa, brother-in-law John F. Gillespie of Savannah, cousin Carl Gerken of Ormond Beach, Fl, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers they encountered during his recent hospitalization at Candler Hospital. A special thanks is given to Dr. Blankenship, Dr. Lorenz, and Dr. Schyberg.
Visitation will be at Fox and Weeks Hodgson Chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday Sept. 17th. The funeral will be at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension at 120 Bull Street at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 18th with burial to follow immediately at Bonaventure Cemetery. Following the internment there will be a reception to honor his life at the Mulberry Inn beginning approximately at 1:00 pm.
Remembrances may be sent to the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in care of the Lena Entelman, Stella Smith, Delle Smith Fund Entelman-Smith Fund for the maintenance and preservation of the church building.
Mark, Don and Tom I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I only got to meet him a few times but he seemed like a great man. My thoughts are with you. Robert Flanders
- Robert Flanders, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss.
- Marian Quante Storey, Orland, ME
Don, Mark, & Tom We were saddened to hear the news about your Father's passing today from Pete Peterson. Our thoughts are with you. Roy Purvis Howell Clements Purvis Well & Pump
- Howell Clements, Odum, GA
Mark, Tom & Don, I received word of your father's passing yesterday as I was preparing to leave Savannah to fly back to D.C.. Having lost Mom in December, I know that this will be a time of reflection, sadness & joy. I have many fond memories of your folks. I enjoy the fact that they shared a wonderful friendship with my parents over the times in their lives when they were young and vibrant. I hope you realize what pleasure your Dad's friendship brought to my father...he always was happy to see Tommy Smith. I have bought my parents home and hope to be in Savannah more often in the coming months and years. It would be good to see you and catch up. Until then please accept my sincere condolences.
- Bill Ogletree, Washington, DC
Dear Smith Cousins, I wanted to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of Uncle Tommy. I always thought of Uncle Tommy as another one of the Quante boys. I know how much he loved his sons and family members. He will be missed at the Schutzenfest this year. God Bless all of you.
- Angela Q. Forand, Irmo, SC
Mark, Tom & Don, your dad will be greatly missed by many. Dennis & I will forever remember his wonderful, bubbling sense of humor as he was never without a smile. Your Dad knew not a stranger just a friend he had yet to meet. Without meaning to diminish your mourning, we cannot help but realize that our loss is God's gain. All of Heaven is rejoicing as one of their own has come home. May God comfort you and give you His peace in the coming days. Blessings to you, Dennis and Kim Morris
- Dennis & Kim Morris, Eden, GA
We send heartfelt condolences for your loss and pain at this time. May you find comfort in the love of friends and family, as well as God's reassurance in Psalm 34:18...'Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.'
- CMiller, Aiken, SC
Mark and Don: Sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you! Bob Letcher
- Bob Letcher, Savannah, GA
On behalf of Marshpoint PTA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the entire Smith family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Sincerely, Sandra Cason Marsphoint PTA
- Sandra Cason, Savannah, GA
Mark and the entire family. We were very sorry to hear about your Father. Our condolences to you and the family. We can only rejoice that he has gone home and to a better place. May God be with and the family during this time. Best Regards and God Bless W. H. & Irene Johnson
- W. H. Johnson, Savannah, GA
On behalf of the Robert McCuen Clan Drew, Angel, Victoria, & Rachel. We send our most sincere condolences on the Passing of Mr. Smith. Our family has many fond memories of him over the years. His sense of humor & generosity will be missed. May God Bless you and keep you. Welcome home.
- Drew McCuen, Savannah, GA
Mark, Don and Tom I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I only got to meet him a few times but he seemed like a great man. My thoughts are with you. Robert Flanders
- Robert Flanders, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss.
- Marian Quante Storey, Orland, ME
Don, Mark, & Tom We were saddened to hear the news about your Father's passing today from Pete Peterson. Our thoughts are with you. Roy Purvis Howell Clements Purvis Well & Pump
- Howell Clements, Odum, GA
Mark, Tom & Don, I received word of your father's passing yesterday as I was preparing to leave Savannah to fly back to D.C.. Having lost Mom in December, I know that this will be a time of reflection, sadness & joy. I have many fond memories of your folks. I enjoy the fact that they shared a wonderful friendship with my parents over the times in their lives when they were young and vibrant. I hope you realize what pleasure your Dad's friendship brought to my father...he always was happy to see Tommy Smith. I have bought my parents home and hope to be in Savannah more often in the coming months and years. It would be good to see you and catch up. Until then please accept my sincere condolences.
- Bill Ogletree, Washington, DC
Dear Smith Cousins, I wanted to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of Uncle Tommy. I always thought of Uncle Tommy as another one of the Quante boys. I know how much he loved his sons and family members. He will be missed at the Schutzenfest this year. God Bless all of you.
- Angela Q. Forand, Irmo, SC
Mark, Tom & Don, your dad will be greatly missed by many. Dennis & I will forever remember his wonderful, bubbling sense of humor as he was never without a smile. Your Dad knew not a stranger just a friend he had yet to meet. Without meaning to diminish your mourning, we cannot help but realize that our loss is God's gain. All of Heaven is rejoicing as one of their own has come home. May God comfort you and give you His peace in the coming days. Blessings to you, Dennis and Kim Morris
- Dennis & Kim Morris, Eden, GA
We send heartfelt condolences for your loss and pain at this time. May you find comfort in the love of friends and family, as well as God's reassurance in Psalm 34:18...'Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.'
- CMiller, Aiken, SC
Mark and Don: Sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you! Bob Letcher
- Bob Letcher, Savannah, GA
On behalf of Marshpoint PTA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the entire Smith family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Sincerely, Sandra Cason Marsphoint PTA
- Sandra Cason, Savannah, GA
Mark and the entire family. We were very sorry to hear about your Father. Our condolences to you and the family. We can only rejoice that he has gone home and to a better place. May God be with and the family during this time. Best Regards and God Bless W. H. & Irene Johnson
- W. H. Johnson, Savannah, GA
On behalf of the Robert McCuen Clan Drew, Angel, Victoria, & Rachel. We send our most sincere condolences on the Passing of Mr. Smith. Our family has many fond memories of him over the years. His sense of humor & generosity will be missed. May God Bless you and keep you. Welcome home.
- Drew McCuen, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
