Thomas Elliott Smith

Thomas Elliott Smith, 84, of Paw Paw, Michigan passed away 11:11pm on October 16, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice with his wife, Mary Ellen, by his side. 

Thomas, known as Tom, T.E.S. and Papa Tommy was born on March 1, 1940, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the first-born son of Ernest Elliott and Marilyn (Brandt) Smith. 

Tom graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1958. He continued his education at Albion College and Ferris State University playing football. At Ferris, Tom was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Both the football team and the fraternity called him “Paw Paw”.

He married Mary Ellen (Mumford) on August 10, 1963, in Paw Paw Michigan and celebrated 61 years of marriage this August with a family gathering at La Cantina. He felt his best accomplishment, together with Mary Ellen, was raising their three children, Heidi, Trevor and Heather. He also loved celebrating all the grandchildren’s scholastic, athletic, and career accomplishments.

Tom was employed at the UpJohn Company for 30 years as a pipe fitter. He loved his job and the many friends he made there. The family lived on a 42-acre fruit farm in Paw Paw, Michigan. Tom also grew up on a fruit farm and learned the trade from his father. It seemed the only reason he wanted a farm was to own and ride tractors, one of his favorite things to do. Tom was the “fix it” man, if something broke, he was your man. His grandchildren believed that Papa Tommy could fix anything. As a farmer, not only do you get to grow up with nature and all its beauty, but you also have to learn how to fix equipment out of necessity.

Tom was a long-standing member and serving elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, Michigan. Before his passing, he was one of the longest living members. He started attending as a young child with his grandmother, Olive Hayes Smith, and joined the church as a teen.

Preceding Tom in death are his parents and a brother, Scott. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, their children, Heidi (Russell) Towle, Trevor Smith, and Heather (Stephen) Johnson, grandchildren, Danielle and Stephanie Towle, and Thomas, Zachary, Chase and Claire Johnson, sister and brother-in-law Pamela and Thomas Baney, brothers and sisters-in-law Barry and Marilyn Smith, and Kelly and Michelle Smith, and Mary Ellen’s sister and brother-in-law Adele and Frank Walters. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whose lives he also touched. 

Tom, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Papa, Friend - We will miss you. 

Rest in Peace.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw. A memorial service will commence at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Gail Monsma officiating. There will be a luncheon at the church following the service. Tom will be laid to rest at Wildey Cemetery in Paw Paw. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church Capital Fund, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 or Centrica Rose Arbor Hospice, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.