Smith Thomasson

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Smith Everett Thomasson, 64, of Fort Worth, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at Plaza Medical Center.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20, at OakCrest Funeral Home chapel, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, with Dr. Lamar E. Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco.

Viewing will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, September 19, at the funeral home.

Mr. Thomasson was born May 13, 1944 in Jasper, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University in 1966. He married Janet Marie Dickerson on June 18, 1966, which marked the beginning of a marriage lasting nearly 43 years.

After serving three years as a naval officer, Mr. Thomasson returned to Waco, where he worked as a local banker for over 20 years.

While in Waco, Mr. Thomasson was also very active in the community and with Baylor University. He served on the boards of Heart of Texas Arthritis Foundation, Central Texas Zoo, the Waco Boys Club, and the Waco Better Business Bureau.

He also served as President of Ridgewood Country Club, the Baylor Waco Foundation, the Baylor Fast Break Club, and the Hedonia Club. Mr. Thomasson also served on the Woodway City Council. At First United Methodist Church of Waco, Mr. Thomasson previously was on the board of trustees.

Mr. Thomasson was an avid fan of the Baylor Bears. He also loved to hunt, fish and play golf with his son, and he loved to sing with his daughters. He had a wonderful ability to communicate with people. He often served as the master of ceremonies at community events such as fundraisers, art auctions, banquets and roasts. But he enjoyed no communications role more than leading his Sunday school class at FUMC.

Mr. Thomasson eventually left Waco to pursue a banking position in east Texas, before settling in Ft Worth, where he and Janet lived since 2001.

Mr. Thomasson retired from the banking industry in 2006.

In all stages of his life, wherever he lived, Mr. Thomasson had an engaging personality, characterized by humor, sincerity, and unconditional love. He received his greatest joy seeing others happy. He truly had a genuine heart and will be missed by his many friends.

During his later years, Mr. Thomasson was a devoted grandfather to his seven grandchildren, and he loved them deeply, as they did him. To Campbell, Jacob, Emma, Avery, Hayden, Hannah and Collin, he was their Grandad.

Mr. Thomasson was preceded in death by his parents, Smith Thomasson and Octavine Byerly Thomasson; sister, Martha Nell Thomasson; and two brothers, Tommy Gene Thomasson and Billy Joe Thomasson.

He is survived by his wife, Janet of Ft. Worth; his son Tim and wife, Shannon of Waco; daughter Jennifer Stephens and husband, Paul of Waco; daughter Staci Phelps and husband, Gary, of Plano; seven grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Pallbearers will be Dr. James Curry, William Kelley, Charles Miles, William Nesbitt, David Senter, and Ronald Woods.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association (P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312) or National Kidney Foundation (30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016).

The family would like to give special thanks to Kathi, Christine, Carolyn, Neal, and the remaining staff at the Tarrant Dialysis Center, the staff of the second floor of Kendrick Southwest, and the nurses of the CCU unit at Plaza Medical Center.

Finally, the family would like to thank First United Methodist Church of Ft. Worth, for when Smith was too ill to go to church, they brought the church to him.