THOMAS M. "TOMMY" "SMITTY" SMITH, 93, was
born in Ranger, TX on Oct. 9, 1920 and died at
his home in Dallas, TX on Dec. 17, 2013, with
burial at Restland in Dallas, TX.
Tommy attended Ranger High School in the Class
of 1936 and was involved in the Civilian Pilot
Training (CPT) program at Ranger Junior College.
He was an active Gideon. A gifted pilot, Tommy
(Smitty to the flying community) was a veteran
of the Royal Canadian Air Force in WWII and a
long time flying instructor (winner of the
inaugural Flight Instructor of the Year award
given by the FAA) and FAA Examiner. He retired
from flying at the age of 89 with well over
48,000 hours, most of it in the right instructor
seat which is an accomplishment that may never
be equaled.
Predeceased by his parents Will and Ruth Smith,
and two sisters in childhood, Edith and Mary
Ruth and his son Douglas Vaughan Smith.
Survived at the time of his death by his wife
of 68 years, Joan L Smith, his son Alan (Margaret),
daughter Kathryn (John), grandsons Christopher
(April), Cameron (Christa), Colin, Kyle, great-
niece Helen (Caleb) Barton, five great-grand-
children and other loved family and friends.