Rev. Thomas C. Smith

Rev. Dr. Thomas Charles Smith, 75, of Austin, Texas, was met by God’s warm embrace on June 7, 2022. He was comforted by his loving family from near and far. Tom was born in Coldwater, Michigan, on July 15, 1946, to Francis C. and Virginia E. (Solomon) Smith, joining his sister, Susan.

He grew up in Bronson, Michigan, where he graduated from Bronson High School in 1964. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Michigan State University in 1968, where he met his loving and devoted wife, Katharine E. (Dierickx) Smith. They were married almost 54 years.

Tom served the United States as a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Worms, Germany; Vietnam, and Ft. Stewart, Georgia. After serving his nation, Tom worked as a computer programmer in Lansing, Michigan, where he eventually answered the call to ministry.

He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary, in Lancaster, Pa. He graduated in 1976 and was ordained a Christian minister. Through his 32 years in ministry, he served as pastor at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Fishers Hill, Va; pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Christ in Baltimore, Md.; senior pastor at St. Mark United Church of Christ in New Albany, Ind., and senior pastor at Zion United Church of Christ in North Canton, Ohio. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree in 1995 from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1999, Tom and Kathie moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Tom served as a pastor at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church. He retired in 2008. When Kathie retired in 2010, they moved to Austin, Texas. They are members of Shepherd of the Hills ELCA.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathie; children, Heather (Ryan) Maurer of Springfield, Ohio; Nathan (Kelly) Smith, of Dublin, Ohio, and Holly (Jim) Bohart of Austin, Tx; grandchildren, Joshua and Justin Maurer; Lily and Grace Bohart; and Marin and Everett Smith; sister, Susan (John) Davidson of Burr Oak, Mich.; nieces and nephews; and many friends and good neighbors.

Tom enjoyed fishing, boating, golfing, and family vacations. Tom and Kathie celebrated their 50th anniversary on an Alaskan cruise with their children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m., at Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church at 3525 Bee Cave Rd. in Austin, Texas. Memorial gifts may be made to Shepherd of the Hills.

Tom’s family would like to thank all the caregivers who helped him both at home, including friends at the Gathering, and our church; at St. David’s North Hospital; at Belmont Village; and his hospice nurse Lisa Tatom.