Home Obituaries Thomas Daniel Smith – May 1, 2023

Thomas Daniel Smith – May 1, 2023

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Thomas Daniel Smith
07/31/1947 – 05/01/2023

Thomas Daniel Smith was born on July 31, 1947, in Susanville, CA to Forrest and Elaine Smith. In his early years, Tom was known to run amuck to the point his mother would tie him to the tree in the yard to contain his chaos. Tom graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1965 and remained in Susanville working at Susanville Ford.

Tom later briefly left Susanville for San Francisco where he attended school to become a mortician. While in mortuary school Tom met the love of his life, Amy. After mortuary school, Tom and Amy both returned to Susanville and were married on June 23, 1978. Tom worked for Lucero Carlson Colonial Mortuary which later became Walton’s Colonial Mortuary. Tom worked as a mortician for 22 years where he lovingly and compassionately cared for those who had passed on in his community.

Tom was a member of the Lassen County Elks Lodge and was Exalted Ruler from 1985-1986. Tom was also a member of Rotary.

Tom was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in the church community in several capacities over the years. Tom was on the citizen’s board for the California Department of Corrections and was also known to coach the soccer teams of a few of his children.

Being born and raised in Susanville, Tom had a strong connection to the community so much that he volunteered as Peter Lassen for several years. Tom would dress up and educate the local schools about the history of Susanville.

In his later years Tom attended the Lassen Community College, Gunsmithing program where he learned a new hobby to take him into retirement.

In 2012 Tom and his wife moved to Reno, Nevada where he enjoyed gunsmithing, baseball and his grandkids.

On May 1, 2023, Tom passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and best friend, Amy and his children. In the final days Tom was visited by many who had been impacted by the love and kindness Tom showed them.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Forrest and Elaine, brother Paul Smith, son Chad Smith and daughter Emily Griffin. Tom is survived by wife Amy Smith, daughters Kimberly Duerksen (Eric), Faye-Dawn Orullian (Blake), Cassandra Robertson (Kurtis), sons Trevor Smith (Sara), Geoffrey Smith (Kaylene) and sister Patricia Moore. Tom is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 2 1/2 great grandchildren.

Tom was loved by all that knew him. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes everywhere he went. Tom could not go anywhere in Susanville without knowing at least one person, which his kids often complained about because they had to wait while he talked. He was even okay with his mother’s friends calling him Tommy into his late adulthood. Tom will be missed deeply by all who knew him and he would want all to remember him by showing love and kindness and never passing up the opportunity to tell a good joke.

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