Thomas George Smith

Thomas G. Smith, 84, of Kannapolis, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on December 12, 1940, to the late George and Margaret Smith in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Thomas married the love of his life, Kori Frics on June 27, 1964.

Thomas received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Dakota-Vermilion in 1962. He served in the United States Army for two years. He worked for Arthur Andersen as a CPA and then for Carlson Companies as Corporate Controller. He ended his career by serving as the Chief Financial Officer at Forest City Enterprises for twenty-two years. Thomas served on many Boards of Directors over the years; Ursuline College, the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland, OH, First Merit Bank and the Lake Health Foundation. He was very active in the Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel and served as their treasurer. Tom and Kori loved fundraising for charitable causes. Tom and Kori were faithful members of St. Noel Catholic Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, where he was active in the finance committee.

Tom was an accomplished athlete in basketball and softball and ran two marathons after the age of forty. He was an avid vegetable gardener from the age of 12 and grew the best sweet corn you will ever taste. He enjoyed pheasant hunting and traveling to South Dakota annually to visit family and friends. Tom had an extensive wine collection and enjoyed his cars, but most of all, he loved spending time with grandchildren and family.

Those left to cherish his memory include his forever love, Kori; his sons, Michael (Dawn) Smith, Timothy (Cathy) Smith and Anthony (Gretchen) Smith; seven grandchildren, Morgan, Sara, Thomas, Maggie, Katie, Nathan and Reilly; his siblings, Jon, Fred, JoNell and Camille; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Patricia and Janice.

Visitation for Thomas will be held at St James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC on Monday April 28,2025 beginning at 9 AM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM, Monday April 28, 2025, at St James the Greater Catholic Church, 139 Manor Ave SW Concord, NC 28025. Burial will be in Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to local Boys and Girls Clubs.