Thomas Youel "TY" Smith, 76

DOVER - Thomas Youel "TY" Smith of Dover died Sunday, May 27, 2007, in the Veterans Hospital, Elsmere, after a long illness. He was 76.

Mr. Smith was born July 27, 1930, in Roxboro, N.C., to the late Richard Franklin Smith and Frannie Brooch Smith.

Mr. Smith retired as a master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force in 1972 after 23 years of service as an X-ray technician. He also served in the Korean War.

After his military career, he worked as a program coordinator for the Tuberculosis Control Program for the state of Delaware, retiring in 1990 after 18 years.

Mr. Smith was a life member of VFW Post 3238 in Camden and a life member of the DAV.

He was also a member and past governor from 1994 to 1995 at the Camden Wyoming Moose Lodge 203. He was enrolled in the Blue Hen Moose Legion 186 and received his fellowship degree in 2001.

Mr. Smith was also a member of American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2 and Dover Elks BPOA 1903.

Mr. Smith was an avid sports fan, enjoying the North Carolina Tar Heels, loved golfing and watching the Washington Redskins.

He was a great fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Mr. Smith enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary R. Smith; two sisters, Victoria Davis and Lottie Frederick; and two granddaughters, Mandy Friedel and Cheri Friedel.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 11 years, Nancy Breeding Smith of Dover; a son, David Friedel and his wife, Peggy of Greenwood; two daughters, Catherine Reed and her husband, Jerry of Smyrna and Crystal Haymond and her husband, Lee of Greenwood; a brother, Robert Franklin of Roxboro, N.C.; four sisters, Hulda Day, Daisy Howard and Doris Newell, all of Roxboro, N.C. and Odell Slaton of Palm Bay, Fla.; six grandchildren, Dawn Friedel, Ashley Friedel, Kristin Friedel, Kari Friedel, Christopher Friedel and Jonathan Downes; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Del.. 10), Dover, where friends may call two hours prior.

Interment will be in the St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the VFW Post 3238, P.O. Box 355, Camden, DE 19934.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com.