Thomas Leon Smith

Thomas Leon Smith, 82, Butler, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at home. Thomas was born on June 10, 1921, near Cedar Springs, Mo., to Thomas C. and Mamie Ellen Hart Smith.

Thomas graduated from Walker High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While in the Army he worked in hospitals caring for the sick and wounded.

On April 9, 1947, he married Eva Grace Reedy in Fort Scott, Kan. Tom and Grace operated a furniture store briefly in Appleton City. Thomas spent most of his life farming. They lived a few years near Montrose, Mo., then Collins, Mo., for a little over 20 years. In 1974, they moved to Harwood, Mo., where they lived until last year.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parent; three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Grace, of the home; three daughters, Sharon Schroeder, Concord, Calif., Kathy Osborn, Rock, Kan., and Pam Slater, Grass Valley, Calif.; one son, Leon Smith, Nevada, Mo.; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by one brother, Warren Smith, Appleton City, Mo.; and three sisters, Fern Johnston, Butler, Mo., Ester Maschewski, and Alma Culkins, both of Albuquerque, N.M.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m., at the Hackleman Chapel with the Rev. Marvin Jamison officiating. Interment was in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Jerry Coy, Kenny Hallam, Gavin Hutchison, Eric Smith, Casey Kallech and Everett Timbers. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Gordon, Charles Waites, Harry Slater, Randy Kallech and Kenny Osborn.