Thomas Street Smith

Thomas Street Smith It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Thomas S. Smith. He was surrounded by family at his home in Plantation when he died on May 10, 2022, at the age of 93. Thomas was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April and we are heartbroken to have lost him so quickly. Thomas was born in Birmingham, AL., on February 18, 1929, but he would have told you he's from L.A. (Lower Alabama). After graduating from Woodlawn High School, he played baseball for the Cleveland Indians and even appeared in a July 1951 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Greta Berg. Thomas was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve during the Korean War in January 1952. Thomas and Greta married on June 25, 1952 in Fort Jackson, S.C. They would have been married 70 years next month. In their time together, Thomas and Greta travelled to many countries, almost every continent, and enjoyed vacation homes in Lake Lure, N.C. as well as Ormond Beach, FL. Thomas was employed by Encyclopedia Britannica for 19 years, eventually becoming the Southeast Regional Manager and recipient of numerous sales awards. In 1973, Thomas and Greta started All Year Cooling and Heating in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He finally retired at the age of 75 but continued his active lifestyle. In his younger years, Thomas played handball at the Fort Lauderdale YMCA and enjoyed the South Florida weather on his boat, Jilgreta. He was an excellent dancer and loved showing off his moves (and his wife) on the dance floor. At 93 years old, Thomas enjoyed watching football, posting on Facebook, going to the horseraces, and visiting Hard Rock casino. When confronted with the reality of his impending death from pancreatic cancer, Thomas faced it with courage, dignity, and acceptance. He remained positive and continued to make us laugh even as he approached his final days. We will miss his energy, magnetic personality, and sense of humor – even if it was inappropriate at times. Thomas would describe his life as a love story – an incredible one. He loved deeply, unconditionally, and built a life around his love for Greta. Through love, his story will continue. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, Carrie and Tobe Smith, his brother, W.B. Smith, and his grandson, Sean Hanrahan. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Greta Berg Smith, sister Mary Barbara Croft (Buddy, deceased) of Stone Mountain, GA, children Thomas Smith (Audrey, deceased) of Ft. Lauderdale, Jill Hanrahan (Jack) of Plantation, Michael Smith (Marilyn) of Coral Gables, Hal Smith (Ronnell) of Walkertown, N.C., Lynn Smith (Robin) of Germanton, N.C., as well as 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorial donations may be made to Trustbridge Hospice Foundation or the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends on Sunday May 15, 2022 from 3:00 PM until the service time. A Service will be held at 4:00PM. Arrangements by T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 954 587-6888.