The Funeral Service for Thomas J. Smith of New
Richland
will be held at
11:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the First Congregational Church in
New
Richland
.
The Reverend Pamela Jensen will officiate.
Interment
will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, New
Richland
.
Military honors will
be accorded by New
Richland
Veteran’s Organizations.
Visitation will
be from 4-8 Monday at the First Congregational Church in New
Richland
and one hour before the service at the church. Friedrich Funeral Home,
New
Richland
is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thomas Jefferson Smith III passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital early Thursday morning April 2, 2009 at the age of 79.
Tom was born on March 13, 1930 in New Richland, Mn to Harry & Amanda (Jeddeloh) Smith.
He graduated from
New
Richland-Hartland
High School
in 1948 where he was a standout in basketball and football.
After a short hitch in the
U.S.
Navy, he attended
Mankato
State
College where he graduated in 1953.
He continued his education with graduate work at
Mankato
State
University
,
University
of
Iowa
, and
Oklahoma
State
University
.
In 1953 Tom went to
Peterson
High School
where he was a social studies and physical education teacher.
He also coached football, basketball, and baseball.
He was the ONLY coach in the school system.
He moved on to
McGregor
High School
in 1955 where he taught
social studies and coached football and baseball and served as the school’s athletic director.
He was united in marriage to Marilyn (Marsh) Smith on October 7, 1956 in McGregor, Mn.
He returned home to
New
Richland-Hartland
High School
in 1957.
He went on to serve that school for 30 years-25 as their athletic director and many years in a variety of coaching positions.
He served as Executive Secretary of the Gopher Conference for 20 years.
He served on the District 2 and Region 1 committees.
Twice, in 1982 and 1987, he was recipient of the Region 1 Athletic Director of the Year award, and in 1987 received the Butch Nash award for his 31 years as an assistant
football coach.
He was involved in directing MSHSL athletic programs for 50 continuous years and served as sub-section coordinator for five sports in Section 2A from 1991-2006.
He was a member of the Congregational Church in New
Richland
.
He served on many boards & was Sunday School Superintendent & teacher.
His hobbies included golfing , fishing, playing cards, reading westerns & he also enjoyed farming and raising beef cattle.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 52 years, 4 children, Scott (Donette) of
Owatonna
, Rod of
Rice Lake
,
Wi
, Kay Jensen of New
Richland
, & Rita of
Owatonna
.
Three grandsons-Spencer, Taylor & Preston, 1 brother Don (Audreene) of New Richland, 1 brother –in-law Clayton, 2 sisters-in-law Evelyn and Bettie and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents-Harry & Amanda, 2 brothers Dick & Dale, 1 sister Harriet, 1 sister-in-law RoseAnn &1 grandson Brandon.
He will be deeply missed!!
