Thomas Argo Smith Jr.

Thomas Argo Smith, Jr. - SAVANNAH - Thomas Argo Smith, Jr., age 84, died unexpectedly Monday September 15th at Rivers Edge Retirement Center while convalescing from recent surgery. He was born on August 8th, 1924, son of the late Thomas Argo Smith, Sr and Stella Gerken Smith, and the grandson of Claus and Lena Siem Gerken Entelman and Albert H. Entelman. He was pre-deceased by his wife Delle Vann Smith and his sister Alberta Smith Gillespie. Tommy was born and raised in Savannah, GA. He grew up above Gerkens Grocerteria at Price and Gwinnett Streets. He spent his summers at the beloved family beach house, the "Alberta", on Tybee Island. He attended the Pape School, the Massie School, Chatham Jr. High School, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. immediately after high school graduation, was a member of the 6th Marine division, and participated in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. Upon honorable discharge, he enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Georgia Tech he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and was a lifelong participant. He was called back for duty for the Korean War which delayed his graduation until 1952. Shortly after graduation he became a licensed civil engineer and began his life's work at the Corps of Engineers. He subsequently worked at Thomas and Hutton, the City of Savannah as Assistant City Engineer and became County Engineer in 1974. He retired as County Engineer in 1986. He was a baptized and confirmed member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension and attended services regularly. He served on Church Council and numerous committees. He was a founding member of the German Heritage Society; a member of the German Friendly Society, the Savannah Yacht Club, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 1970 he co-founded South Atlantic Utilities which has grown into a regional operator of water and wastewater systems in Southeast Georgia. He loved being a civil engineer. He was an avid Georgia Tech fan and rarely missed a home game. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and joke. He loved being German and being a Savannian. He is survived by his loving companion of 30 years Elizabeth Oleson, her son Freddie and his wife Denise, his sons Mark V. and Kim Smith and children Delle and Gowan, Thomas Argo Smith, III, and Donald S. and Charlean Smith and children Benjamin and Melissa, brother-in-law John F. Gillespie of Savannah, cousin Carl Gerken of Ormond Beach, Fl, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers they encountered during his recent hospitalization at Candler Hospital. A special thanks is given to Dr. Blankenship, Dr. Lorenz, and Dr. Schyberg. The funeral will be at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension at 120 Bull Street at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 18th with burial to follow immediately at Bonaventure Cemetery. Following the internment there will be a reception to honor his life at the Mulberry Inn beginning approximately at 1:00 pm. Remembrances may be sent to the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in care of the Lena Entelman, Stella Smith, Delle Smith Fund (Entelman-Smith Fund) for the maintenance and preservation of the church building. Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News September 18, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .