Tommy Ray Smith

First Sergeant Tommy Ray Smith, Ret. NCANG, age 77 of Laurinburg departed this life on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Tommy was born in Duplin County, North Carolina, August 7, 1946, loving son of the late Tommie M. Smith and the late Alice Millard Smith. He proudly served in the United States Army and the North Carolina Army National Guard. Upon retiring from the military, he worked for many years with the North Carolina Department of Corrections and as a truck shop foreman with the Ryder Trucking Company.

As a young man, Tommy was compassionate about serving his country joining the United States Army at the age of 17 in October 1963. In March 1967, he married the love of his life, Gail Skipper Smith, with whom he shared a wonderful life with until her passing in 2020. In September of 1967, Tommy would rejoin the United States Army for tours to the Vietnam War for one year, followed by Frankfurt, Germany for three years; Ft. Lewis in Washinton for two years; Ft. Knox, KY for one year; and Camp Red Cloud, Korea for nine months. During his tours of duty, Tommy served as a mechanic, construction engineering, and in artillery, aviation, and signal battalions, with training in nine different military occupation specialties.  

Following his discharge from the Army in July 1975, he joined the North Carolina Army National Guard with the 881st Engineer Company. While Tommy was with the 881st Engineers, he served as a Bridge Section Sergeant, Chief Technical Inspector, Platoon Sergeant, and then First Sergeant. He truly enjoyed being First Sergeant with the 881st Engineering which he stated “allowed me the honor of helping young men direct their goals as one company instead of three detachments.” Tommy retired after 31 years of service as the last First Sergeant of the 881st Engineer Company the North Carolina Army National Guard would ever have.  During his career, awards included commendation and distinguished service metals, honors for overseas service, and his service to the National Guard. First Sergeant Tommy Smith truly had a soldier’s heart who lived and breathed for his time with the military.

Following retirement, he enjoyed his time fishing, hunting, and sharing time with his family, especially his adored grandchildren.  Tommy will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for his love and devotion to his country and his family.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gail Skipper Smith; brother, Edgar Smith; and sisters, Jean Padgett and Christine Pruitte.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Melissa Smith, and Jennifer Ann Miller (Chuck Norris) each of Laurel Hill, NC; sister, Carolyn Reynolds of Jacksonville, NC; grandchildren, Faith Smith, Parker Smith, Katie Brisson, Adam Miller; great-grandchildren, Britleigh Dimery and Emery Grayce Dimery; along with his loving extended family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Richmond County Memorial Park.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Richard Boles Funeral Service.

Memorial donations are requested to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or the Humane Society of Scotland County, 1401 West Blvd, Laurinburg, NC 28352.

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