“A Piece of North Alabama Music Has Passed!”
Thomas “Tom” Henry Smith III, born 14 September 1957 – died 07 February 2023
Thomas “Tom” Henry Smith, III passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Huntsville, Alabama in the evening of 07 February 2023. He was 65 at the time of his passing.
Tom (aka “LeOtis Duvalier” on FB) was a self-employed carpenter and residential home repair expert that spent his free time with his many friends playing music and entertaining one another. He was truly a modern day “Bohemian troubadour” entertaining his family and friends with his Rock, Blues, and Bluegrass musical talents, as well as with his boundless sense of humor. Tom was an extraordinarily gifted musician and while his instrument of choice was the electric guitar, he could play most any stringed instrument from bass guitar to mandolin and even the fiddle. Tom played in numerous bands over the years and entertained people at venues across North Alabama too numerous to count.
Tom had great love for his family, his friends, his music, as well as for the numerous pets that he had over the years. He was filled with great passion and was very passionate about his feelings for those close to him. He was well loved in return and will be greatly missed by all. He will be remembered as always having a guitar either in his hands or within arms reach and his sharp wit.
His lifelong friend Mitch Glasgow, currently residing in Midlothian, Virginia, has organized an informal public event to celebrate Tom’s life that will be held at the Monte Sano Mountain State Park under the main pavilion on Saturday, 11 February 2023 from 1:30 PM until 4:30 PM. The pavilion is located near and visible from the main parking lot for the park. When you arrive, inform the gatekeeper at the entrance of the State Park that you are there for the “Tom Smith Memorial.” Additional information about the public memorial service is available on Mitch Glasgow’s Facebook page.
In addition, a “Family Only” memorial service is also planned for Tom.
In accordance with Tom’s expressed wishes, Tom was cremated and his ashes will be scattered at several of his favorite locations. Tom was preceded by his mother, Violet B. Smith and his brother, Mathew B. Smith, both of Huntsville. He is survived by his father, Thomas H. Smith, Jr. (Sarasota, Florida); brothers, Terrence “Terry” A. Smith and Michael A. Smith (both in the Huntsville area), and Dr. Stephen G. Smith (Englewood, Florida); and sister, Karen M. Smith (Orange Park, Florida).
