Thomas Henry Smith

Thomas Henry Smith, age 72, of Rockford, passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on October 3, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Eleanor Smith; sister, Patricia BruinsSlot; and brother, Gordon Smith. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; son, Brian (Britt) Smith, and daughter, Kristin (Brian) Trulock; grandchildren, Ainsley and Caden Smith and Orrin, Lynley, and Sibyl Trulock; sister, Barbara (Bob) VandenBerg; as well as many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom devoted his life to teaching. He spent the majority of his 41-year career teaching students at Forest Hills Public Schools. He coached numerous basketball and volleyball teams, served as athletics event coordinator, and guided countless students on annual field trips to Mackinac Island. He further served as a mentor to so many students long after they left his classroom. He took every opportunity available to play his beloved golf, but was never happier than when he and Margaret were together with their children and grandchildren. The family wishes to express special thanks to all the physicians, nurses, and staff at Spectrum Health Butterworth’s Emergency and Neuroscience Critical Care Units for their loving and compassionate care of Tom. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11am at the Parish of St. Jude, 1120 Four Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, with visitation at church one hour before Mass. Family will receive visitors on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 5:30-8pm at Reyers North Valley Chapel. Recitation of the rosary will begin at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Catherine’s Health Center or The First Tee of West Michigan.