''Tom'' William Thomas Smith, Jr., 61, Employed by Lorain Ford Assembly Plant

Born August 12, 1943 in Memphis, Tennessee, he moved to Vermilion at age 17. He graduated from Vermilion High School in the class of 1961. Amherst has been his home for the last thirty-one years.

He graduated Cum Laude from David N. Meyers College, formerly Dyke College, in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Tom was employed for thirty-five years by the Lorain Ford Assembly Plant and was currently the supply quality manager.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst for twenty-one years where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, an adult altar server, and was active in the past with the Confirmation and Baptism Programs. Tom also provided video coverage for both the boys and girls sports at Lorain Catholic High School from 1994 to 1999.

Survivors include his wife of thirty years: Barbara Smith (nee: Snizek); his sons: Thomas Brezina of Amherst Jeffrey Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dustin Smith of Lorain and Sean Smith of Amherst; his mother Janie Smith (nee: Maffey) of Vermilion; one grandson; his sister Patricia Caprara of Avon Lake, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father William Thomas Smith on February 25, 1994.

Friends may call Monday and Tuesday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. from St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Dr., Amherst. The Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martello, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Dr., Amherst 44001.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.