Thomas-Leroy-Smith-91389

Obituary

Pastor Thomas LeRoy Smith, 43, of Burlington, IA died at his home on Monday, January 17, 2011. He was born on December 26, 1967 in Des Moines, IA, the third child of David Eugene Smith and Gloria McCullough Smith. As a kid, Tom shared his charismatic gift of the spirit with his neighbors, playing trumpet & singing on his front porch for them. He also toured with Sonshine, a Christian youth ensemble. Tom then toured with The Blues Others Brothers, a rhythm & blues band. Tiring of the life on the road, he attended Des Moines Area Community College. Tom met Amy Jennifer Salsbury on his first day of class at DMACC. As he neared graduation, he decided to answer his call to the ministry. Tom married Amy on March 21, 1992. The couple made their first home in Des Moines where Tom completed his BA in Religion at Drake University. After his graduation from Drake, they moved to Deerfield, IL, where Tom attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to work on his Masters of Divinity degree. Tom transferred to the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 1997. Tom was ordained that year at Park Avenue Christian Church, Des Moines, IA. This was a special day in Tom's life, as he also heard that he would begin to serve in his first position as Associate Pastor of Kingsway Christian Church in Memphis, TN. Tom accepted a position as Associate Pastor at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Burlington, Iowa in 2001. Tom started a tradition of the FCC youth attending summer work camp. He began W.O.W., a contemporary worship service. In 2006, Tom became Sr. Pastor as the congregation continued to grow. He began the Welcome Home Campaign and was involved in interdenominational worship services in the Burlington community. Tom will be remembered for his love of Christian music, orange shirts, golfing, coffee and Diet Coke, M & M's, Seinfeld, videogames, and the "Tug of War Cheer" at Black Hawk Elementary School Field Day. He also loved reading the Bible, watching history and biography shows, talking to little kids who would say "Hi Pastor Tom" when they met, and telling stories about his life with Christ. Tom is survived by his wife, Amy; one son, Cameron and two daughters, Charissa and Cayleigh, at home in Burlington; his mother Gloria Salinas of Broken Arrow, OK; his sister Yolanda Seveir and her husband, Rick of Tulsa, OK; three brothers, Randy Smith, Michael Smith, and Marco Smith, all of Des Moines, IA; his paternal grandmother, Marie Smith of Tulsa, OK; his parents-in-law James and Teresa Salsbury of Davenport, IA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pastor Tom will be dearly missed by the entire church family at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Burlington, IA. Tom was preceded in death by his father, his paternal and maternal grandparents, an uncle, and one niece. Funeral services for Pastor Thomas LeRoy Smith will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Burlington, Iowa. Pastors Geoffrey Mitchell and Dean Benton will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Sunday after 1:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m.
A memorial has been established in memory of Tom Smith