Thomas Junior Smitherman

Thomas J. Smitherman passed away on May 6, 2026 in Sutherlin, Oregon at the age of 90 years. He was born on April 1st, 1936, to John Thomas Smitherman and Gladys Mae Smitherman. He was the youngest of five with two sisters Esther and Trudy, and two brothers Jackie and Robert. He was born in Covina California, and grew up in La Puente on a 10-acre citrus ranch. He went to Hudson Elementary and La Puente High School and onto Mount San Antonio junior college. In 1956 he married Mabel Genevieve Heller and they had two children, Myrna Brown, and Todd Smitherman. They divorced in the early 1960s. In 1966, he married Dolores Rae Worthy and they had one child, Dr. Tamara Shannon.

Tom worked for Covina school district for 14 years and then moved to Las Virgenes school district as supervisor of transportation for 7 years. Tom then moved to Oakland Oregon where he bought and ran an automotive wrecking yard for about 8 years. After that he went to work for Oakland school district as a school bus driver, soon promoted to supervisor of transportation and maintenance for the school. He retired from the school district in 1995 so he could stay home and take care of his wife.

Tom served his country in the US Naval reserve for 8 years. He was a respected member of his church and served as an Elder and Trustee. He served on the board of directors of the Oakland Rural Fire District as well as the Union Gap water and sewer district for many years.

He is survived by his three children Myrna Brown (Art), Todd Smitherman (Peggy), Tamara Shannon (Sean). 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-great-grandchild and many dear friends, including Victoria Kietzman and Jean Kellum.

There will be no formal service at his request; however, the family plans a community gathering in his honor on July 17, 2026.