Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family, and all those who have gathered here today to celebrate the life of our dearly departed brother, Thomas Jefferson Smith. I stand before you, humbled and honored, to pay tribute to a man whose wit, charm, and unyielding love for practical jokes has left an indelible mark on each and every one of us.
Tom, as we affectionately called him, was born on a snowy winter’s day in the quaint little town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. As the youngest of seven siblings, he quickly learned the art of survival – specifically, how to dodge flying objects, wrestle for the last piece of pie, and, most importantly, always have the last laugh.
Growing up, Tom was quite the character. I remember one time, after a particularly heavy snowfall, he went out and built an army of snowmen, complete with helmets and brooms as weapons. Then he convinced the entire neighborhood that an invasion was imminent. The panic was real until everyone realized it was just another one of Tom’s elaborate pranks. But that was Tom – always finding humor in everything and making people laugh.
As we got older, Tom’s sense of humor only grew stronger. He had a knack for turning any situation into a comedy routine. When our parents asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied, “I’m going to be a professional thumb wrestler.” And you know what? He almost made it to the national championships.
Despite his love for humor, Tom was also a man of great intelligence and determination. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a degree in anthropology. This led to his fascination with ancient cultures and their burial rituals, which, in turn, inspired some of his best comedic material. Who knew that mummification could be so hilarious?
Tom’s wit and intelligence were matched only by his kindness and generosity. He was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back, even if it meant he’d be left standing there in the freezing cold, wearing nothing but his favorite Hawaiian shirt. And let’s not forget the time he drove 200 miles in the middle of the night to help a friend who had run out of gas. That’s just the kind of brother Tom was – always there for you, no matter the circumstances.
His love for adventure knew no bounds. Tom was an avid traveler, having visited over 30 countries during his lifetime. He once told me that his favorite destination was the small town of Dingle, Ireland. It was there that he discovered his love for Irish music and dance. He would often regale us with stories of his escapades in the local pubs, where he’d charm the locals with his quick wit and impressive rendition of “Danny Boy.”
But perhaps the most memorable aspect of Tom’s life was his unwavering love for his family. He was a devoted husband to his beautiful wife, Susan, and a doting father to their three wonderful children, Jack, Emily, and Lily. His eyes would light up whenever he spoke about them, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure their happiness and well-being.
Tom was also a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews, who will forever cherish the memories of their “crazy Uncle Tom.” Whether it was dressing up as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or staging elaborate Easter egg hunts, Tom’s dedication to bringing joy and laughter to his family was unmatched.
And then there was his relationship with us, his siblings. Tom was more than just a brother – he was our confidant, our partner in crime, and our best friend. He taught us how to laugh at ourselves, how to find humor in even the darkest of times, and how to truly live life to the fullest. We will forever be grateful for the time we spent with him and the lessons he taught us.
As we gather here today to say our final goodbyes, let us not dwell on the sadness of Tom’s passing, but rather, let us celebrate the incredible life that he lived. Let us remember the laughter, the love, and the joy that he brought to each and every one of us.
In closing, I’d like to share a quote that I believe perfectly encapsulates the essence of our beloved brother, Thomas Jefferson Smith:
“Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.” – Mark Twain
Tom, you were the embodiment of this quote, and your memory will live on in our hearts, always making us smile. Rest in peace, dear brother, and may your spirit continue to fill our lives with laughter and love.
Thank you all for being here to honor Tom’s memory.
