Thomas Irvin Smith

Thomas Irvin Smith, known to friends and family as Tom, T.I., Irv, Irvin, Irg, Irgie, and Smitty, age 93, entered God’s eternal glory on January 24, 2024.

Thomas Irvin Smith was born in Mitchell, AR to Cora (Montgomery) and Orville Smith on March 12, 1930. His father, Orville, died when he and his brother, Austin, were young, and Irvin was raised by his mother Cora, stepdad Brady, and his Uncle William (aka “Hickernut”) and Aunt Zelabe (aka “Aunt Be”). 

Irvin graduated from Viola High School in May 1947. He married Betty Zane Smith of Bexar, AR on April 22, 1951.  They faced the valleys and mountaintops of life together – and everything in between - for almost 73 years of marriage!

After high school, Irvin served in the U.S. Army as a Communications Specialist. He was a proud Korean War Veteran and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960.

Irvin and Betty’s first child, daughter Sheryl Diane, was born in 1952, followed by their second child, son Michael Smith in 1955. Little Mikey passed away in 1960 from medical complications, and Diane died tragically in 1970. 

Though Bet and Irvin did not have grandchildren, their niece Amber Dawn (Francis) Jipp was born to Bet’s baby sister, Jovita, in 1980. Amber Dawn was a light to them and loved her “Uncle Irgie” to the end. 

After being discharged from the Army, Irvin worked in Kansas City as a machinist and retired from Fairbanks Morse in 1992. Bet and Irvin attended Bethany Assembly of God Church and later Central Assembly of God Church, both in the Kansas City area. They lived in the same house in Raytown, MO for over 50 years, and enjoyed RVing, southern gospel music, and living as “snowbirds” in South Texas during their prime retirement years. Irvin loved fishing, especially at Norfork, Bull Shoals, and Stockton Lakes, and spending time in the summers in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado). Bet and Irvin traveled to nearly all 50 states together (including Alaska) and ventured across the border into Canada and to Progreso and Reynosa, Mexico many times. They enjoyed all this with many beloved family and friends, who have all preceded them in death. 

Irvin loved to tell stories and tease; He loved Tabasco sauce and perfectly ripe watermelon; He grew delicious vegetables and grilled the best hamburgers. Irvin was fiercely loyal, generously loving, meticulously detailed, and extremely protective. He was incredibly strong and strong-willed, and particularly careful about everything. 

Throughout his life, he endured great suffering as well as many joys such as treasured relationships with close family and friends and simple pleasures like sitting quietly by a fire, fishing with friends, or enjoying bluegrass music. He will be dearly missed and always cherished.  

Irvin is preceded in death by his children, Sheryl Diane and Mikey; his mother, Cora; his father, Orville; his stepdad, Brady; his brother, Austin; three sisters-in-law, Leota, Cindy, and Analee; and one brother-in-law, Cecil. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Zane; his sisters-in-law, Billie Welch and Jovita Francis; his niece, Amber Jipp (husband Josh); his nephews and nieces, William Austin (W.A.) Smith, Jr., Darrell Wayne Smith (wife Margaret), Brenda Lee Smith-Green (husband Bryan), and Gary Lynn Smith (wife Kim); his nieces and nephews, Debbie Scrivner (husband Jim), Denise Klaus (husband Jay), Teddy McIntire, and Pam McIntire; along with many other great nephews and nieces, great-great nephews and nieces, as well as cousins. 

Visitation for family will be held at 1:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 30, both at the Doty Funeral Home in Salem, AR. The burial with military honors will follow at Wild Cherry Cemetery.