Tommy Smith

Tommy Gene Smith went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 25, 2024. A funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday December 30, 2024 in the Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jim Dickson, Bro. Mark Donaldson and Pastor Mike Raymond officiating. Burial will follow at Crawford Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday December 29th at the funeral home.

Tommy was born in Waco, Texas to Betty Jo Derting. Tommy was only 1 of 7 people in Texas who survived Bulbar Polio. He never knew a day without pain but he is pain free now! Praise God! When he was 4 years old, he spent a year of his life in an iron lung. Doctor Hips told his mother he would not live to be 30 years old, but he celebrated turning 72 surrounded by his family. He told them "God had other plans for me."

Tommy was a retired plumber. He traveled the state working and was proud of his work on skyscrapers in Dallas during the construction boom of the 80s. Tommy loved fishing, bowhunting, collecting unique weapons, and raising numerous Doberman Pinschers. He and his brothers could make a mean pot of deer chili and ribs. He prided himself on being able to fix anything. He and his wife, Vicky, realized a dream of theirs when they purchased a red-tagged house and rehabilitated it by hand to make it a home for their two girls, and they lived there for over 30 years. He was extremely proud of all the work they put in.

As a member of Burning Bush Baptist Church, Tommy served as trustee, was a member of the Building Committee, and had a blast running the fireworks for the Outdoor Christmas Drama. After that, he was a member of Bosqueville Baptist Church for 15 years. His favorite Bible verse, John 3:16, is inscribed on his headstone.

Tommy was preceded in death by his mother Betty Waldie, his brother John David Smith along with his chosen brothers, Larry Hopkins, Gary Long, Carl (Corky) Abbott, and Larry Long. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Vicky Hudgens Smith, his 2 daughters, Sonya Smith Sterling and her husband Donald of Bellmead, and Jennifer Smith Hartline of Woodway. Tommy had 5 grandchildren; Alex Mendoza, Joey Smith, Tre Sterling, Harrison Hartline, and Hailey Hartline, along with 4 great-grandchildren, Lex, Malachi, Kadyn, and Addison.

Pallbearers will be Alex Mendoza, Joey Smith, Tre Sterling, Harrison Hartline, Curt Donaldson and David Hopkins.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice, Hillcrest Hospital 6th floor nurses, and Drs. Schultz, Contreras, & Sepulvida. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bosqueville Baptist Church.