Thomas M. Smith, age 79, of Cambridge died September 16, 2016 at Ecumen North Branch after a long battle with cancer. A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 6:45 P.M., with a sharing time at 6:45 P.M., on Friday, September 23rd at our Cambridge location. Military Honors will be provided by the Cambridge American Legion.
Tom was born July 31, 1937 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Hugh and Maude (Foreman) Smith. He grew up in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1955. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force a short time after high school. He served his 4 years with his training being in radar and radio repair. On May 20, 1961 he married Sandy Solberg in Willmar where Tom was serving at the air base. They lived in Crystal until 1964 when they moved to Cambridge. Tom worked as a production control manager at Control Data for 26 years. He was always involved in sports and helped with the Purple Hawk in its early years. He played and coached softball for many years and also enjoyed watching his daughter and other family members play. Tom was instrumental in organizing and building both of the softball complexes in Cambridge and he served as Vice President of the Cambridge-Isanti Area Softball Association. In 2014 he was inducted into the Minnesota Sports Federation Hall of Fame for his dedicated volunteer work. Tom was loved dearly and will be truly missed.
He is survived by his daughter, Janae (John) Collins of Stanchfield; son, Greg (Sara) Smith of Preston; sister, Katherine Mease of Lebanon, PA; four grandchildren, Jacob, Justin, Riana and Bradyn; three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Daisy and Rainy; very special longtime friend Bobbi Mold and her niece and nephew, Julia and Seth who hold a very special spot in his heart; and by many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Maude Smith, and two sisters, Grace Schillich and Dorothy Nelson.