Obituary information/update for NAL/PAA/DAL Capt. Thomas Jackson Smithers
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/rockledge-fl/thomas-smithers-11329351
OBITUARY
Thomas
Jackson Smithers, III
JULY
19, 1943 – JUNE 9, 2023
Obituary
of Thomas Jackson Smithers, III
IN
THE CARE OF
Life
Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens
Captain
Thomas J. Smithers III (Tommy), age 79, took his final flight west June 9,
2023. He peacefully passed away at home with his family at his side.
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.
…………………………………..
~ IN MEMORY ~
NAL/PAA/DAL
Capt. Thomas Jackson Smithers
July 19, 1943 ~ June 9, 2023
This news comes to us from the National
Airlines alumni site, the passing of Captain Tom Smithers, age 79, Tom first joined National Airlines 01-15-1967,
made the mergers and retired with Delta Air Lines based 030/ATL.
The family’s most recent address is listed
in whitepages as
490 Birkdale Dr., Fayetteville, GA 30215
Arrangements are not yet known…please look
for more information to follow.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
……………………………………………………………………..
Sent: Friday, June 9, 2023 9:28 PM
Subject: Thommy Smithers
From the NAL Buccaneers
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First there was Gordon (Miller), then Rick (Dupuis) and now Tom. All gone; 'You were simply the best!' Requiescat In Pace captains.
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