THOMAS MANLY SMITH 9-1-1935 – 6-30-2023

Thomas Manly Smith rejoined his beloved Lord on Friday, June 30, 2023, after a short illness. Born and raised in New Bern, NC, Tom spent much of his early life at the beach. He reveled in being an adored only child until the age of seventeen when his little sister, Ellen, was born. He thrived living in a delightful small town surrounded by relatives and friends. After high school, he spent five years in the US Navy during the Korean War, including two years stationed in Japan. He served as a radio operator on the USS Mt. McKinley based in Yokosuka and at a communication station in Kami Saya. While in Japan, he learned to speak Japanese and traveled the country as the only Western member of a competitive judo team. He later served several decades in the US Naval Reserves, retiring as a Commander.

Upon return to the US, he attended NC State University in Raleigh, earned many academic honors, and obtained a Masters in Electrical Engineering before being hired by IBM. He spent his entire career at IBM, traveling to many countries representing the company. After retirement from IBM he obtained certification in dog grooming and spent several years happily working with his daughter, Melanie Smith, D.V.M., at her animal hospital, Four Paws, in Chapel Hill. He was a lifelong devotee of exercise of all kinds, even joining his oldest daughter, Melissa, to run a 10K in New Orleans when he was 61 years old. He also enjoyed accompanying her on sunrise painting expeditions, especially at the beach, while she created her artwork. He was deeply proud of the accomplishments of his son, Thomas, also a veterinarian. He always said that he knew he would love being a father and raising children, but he was overjoyed to find how much he would treasure friendships with his adult children.

The biggest joy of his life was his love for Esther, his college sweetheart, with whom he fell completely in love at first sight. He showered her with gifts. Her happiness was a daily joy for him. His face lit up whenever she entered the room for nearly 63 years of marriage. Their love was the bedrock of the family.

He adored his grandchildren, joining them in recreating his own happy childhood over numerous adventures involving bicycling, swimming, and general shenanigans. He particularly enjoyed his very close relationship with his oldest granddaughter, Morgan Avery, and treasured being part of her journey through college to such a beautiful adulthood. He is surely following the exploits and successes of all his grandchildren from above with an enormous grin. His loving attention was particularly extended to those young people in his life facing rocky times, urging them to hang on, not to give up and to “follow their stars.”

His ebullience and joie de vivre were without measure and touched all who knew him. He was endlessly curious and always fascinated by the life stories of everyone he met. With his infectious warmth, he truly never knew a stranger.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, Frances and Walter Smith, of New Bern, and his sister, Ellen Smith, also of New Bern. He is survived by his greatest love, Esther, his daughters Melissa Smith (L. Clayton Andrews), Melanie Smith, son Thomas Smith II, and grandchildren—Morgan Reece (Phillip Reece), Connor, Cole, MacKenzie, Caden and Cameron Smith. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carol and Jerry Ellis and their daughters, Amanda Derrick and Jessica Law and their families.