Thomas "Tommy, T.D." David Smith

Thomas David Smit h

03/18/2022

Thomas “Tommy, T.D.” David Smith, 70, of Deland, Florida passed away peacefully in his home on March 18, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marjorie “Midge” Smith, his sister Helen Smith Bentley, and brother Jeffrey Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Peggy Smith; daughter Erin Smith Archer (husband Ben and 4 children); son Jeremy Smith (wife Amber and 4 children); son William Jordan Smith; daughter Chloe Gurnow; brother Robert “Bob” Smith (wife Eileen); numerous nieces and nephews and many more friends and family members whom he loved very much.

Tommy was born on January 14, 1952 in Bethlehem, PA, but moved to Deland, FL, his home, at the age of 5. He was a graduate of Deland High School (1969) and the University of Louisiana (2003). Tommy loved food and spent many years in the restaurant world, owning The Amber Inn, TD Smith’s, and BurgerSmith’s. He was also a waiter and manager for many years at LaFonda in Lafayette. He also loved to talk, and made a career of it. For nearly 20 years, T.D., as he was known in Lafayette, was the co-host of the morning show at 97.3 the Dawg, the voice of the Ragin Cajuns, and the rinkside announcer of the Louisiana Ice Gators. More recently, he was the in-house voice of Stetson Athletics.

While living in Lafayette, and working at 97.3 the Dawg, T.D. helped to raise thousands of dollars every year for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a place that was near and dear to his heart. T.D.’s proudest accomplishment was his founding of Louisiana Honor Air, an organization that saw he and his team raise over $1.5 million and bring over 2,000 WWII Veterans to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington DC.

Tommy had a larger than life personality. He was caring, loving, and passionate. There was nothing that he was more passionate about than sharing life with his friends and family. Please join us to celebrate his life at the Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Deland, FL 32720, on Friday, March 25 at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in his honor.