Thomas Jackson Smithers, III

He was born July 19, 1943 to Thomas Jackson and Edith Spindle Smithers in Roanoke, Virginia and remained there until after graduating high school.

After graduation he joined the U. S. Navy Reserve for six years and served two years active sea duty aboard the USS Aucilla. Upon being honorably discharged he took advantage of the GI Bill and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to attend flight school. After completion of his flight training Tommy then relocated to Miami, Florida where he was offered a position as a flight instructor at Burnside-Ott Aviation Training Center. At the young age of 23, he was hired as a pilot by National Airlines in Miami on January 16,1967. He initially flew as a first officer on the Lockheed Electra and then transitioned to the Boeing 727 and later the Douglas DC-10. He upgraded to Captain on the B-727 in 1977. In 1980, National Airlines was merged into Pan American World Airways where he continued to serve as Captain on the B-727 and Airbus A-310. A highlight of his time with Pan Am was being based in Berlin, West Germany in the mid-1980s “flying the corridors” before the wall between the two Germanys came down in 1989. In 1991 Tommy was one of 750 pilots who were afforded the opportunity to transfer to Delta Air Lines as part of the sale of Pan Am’s European route system to Delta. Tommy was initially based in New York on the A-310 for a couple of years before transferring to Atlanta. While based in Atlanta he also flew the Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Lockheed L-1011 before transitioning to the McDonnell-Douglas MD11 where he served as a Line Check Captain. Tommy grudgingly retired from Delta Airlines in 2002. He would have gladly stayed flying the rest of his life if allowed to. He thoroughly loved flying to so many places around the world and loved each type of aircraft he was trained on. He especially enjoyed his time as a Line Check Captain at Delta and felt it was one of his most rewarding accomplishments. Tommy always said that being a pilot was the best job anyone could ever have, and he would have done it for free.

Tommy lived life to the fullest and was blessed with family and friends he cherished and loved. He had an unmatchable wit and brought laughter to everyone around him. He enjoyed many interests other than flying. He played the guitar, did some painting and drawings, was a certified diver, and snow skied as much as he could. He served as President of the National/Pan Am Ski Club for many years. His favorite south Florida pastime was being on his boat the “Sun King”, named for National Airlines. After relocating to Atlanta with Delta he traded in water activities for his true love, riding his Harley motorcycle. He shared these adventures with family, friends, and a group of fellow pilots, WOW - Wings on Wheels motorcycle group, embarking on numerous trips including riding to the Four Corners of the United States. In addition, he fulfilled a boyhood dream and restored a 1958 Corvette to perfection and enjoyed his many outings with it.

Tommy married the love of his life Faye in 1984 in Miami and had a beautiful marriage and loving family. He is survived by Faye and sons Steve (Carrie) Senkarik, Melbourne, FL; Anthony Smithers, Hollywood FL; and Michael (Johanna) Smithers, St. John, Fl. His grandchildren were his greatest joy and never far from his side, Jack Steven and Kara Lynn Senkarik and Connor and Devin Smithers. He loved his extended family of Mary Jo Roberts, Tallahassee, FL, Jerry and Jackie McDaniel, Tallahassee, FL and Jose and Susan Vasquez of Jacksonville, FL. as well as many nieces and nephews.

When Tommy’s oft-repeated phrase “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” comes about please have a toast to Captain Tommy Smithers. He’ll be looking down with a big smile on his face.

Tommy was predeceased by his parents and his sister Sandra Smithers Olsen.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Smithers family.