Ralph Thomas Smith, 81, of Rockwood, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
A native of Spring City, he was born Feb. 19, 1923, in Grandview, Tenn., the son of Jonathan W. (Jim) Smith and Julie Harris Smith. He was a Navy veteran of WWII, having served on the USS San Pablo. After moving to Rockwood, he worked for several years as a delivery/repair man for Bilbrey Furniture Company. Later, using refrigeration skills learned in the Navy, he became a well-known businessman who owned and operated his own heating, air-conditioning and sheet metal business. He was a devoted member of Rockwood United Methodist Church, where he served as head usher for the past twenty-something years. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion Post No. 50 and an avid football fan of both the Rockwood High School Tigers and the Tennessee Vols. He drove his motor home to many home and away football games to watch the Vols play. He enjoyed football camaraderie with his friends and it was noticeable that his blood did indeed run both green and gold and orange. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Graveside service and burial with full military honors by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard, Tennessee Army National Guard, will be held Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rockwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 466, Rockwood, Tenn. 37854.
Evans Funeral Home of Rockwood is in charge of the arrangements.
Ralph Thomas Smith, 81, of Rockwood, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
A native of Spring City, he was born Feb. 19, 1923, in Grandview, Tenn., the son of Jonathan W. (Jim) Smith and Julie Harris Smith. He was a Navy veteran of WWII, having served on the USS San Pablo. After moving to Rockwood, he worked for several years as a delivery/repair man for Bilbrey Furniture Company. Later, using refrigeration skills learned in the Navy, he became a well-known businessman who owned and operated his own heating, air-conditioning and sheet metal business. He was a devoted member of Rockwood United Methodist Church, where he served as head usher for the past twenty-something years. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion Post No. 50 and an avid football fan of both the Rockwood High School Tigers and the Tennessee Vols. He drove his motor home to many home and away football games to watch the Vols play. He enjoyed football camaraderie with his friends and it was noticeable that his blood did indeed run both green and gold and orange. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Graveside service and burial with full military honors by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard, Tennessee Army National Guard, will be held Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rockwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 466, Rockwood, Tenn. 37854.
Evans Funeral Home of Rockwood is in charge of the arrangements.
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