George Thomas Smith, devoted husband and loving father and grandfather, died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. He was 82. George was born November 25, 1939, in Washington, D.C. to Terrence Eugene Smith, Sr. and Barbara Jean (Benedict) Smith, who preceded him in death.

George was a graduate of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, where he met his future wife at a basketball game after he and a friend did “the stroll” across the basketball court. After high school, he attended Montgomery College and the University of Maryland.

He married Katherine Louise Waring on August 25, 1962 in New Orleans, LA, and they lived in Maryland for 2 years before moving to Louisiana. They resided in nearby suburbs of Metairie and Gretna, LA for the next 18 years. In addition to living in Maryland and Louisiana, Smith was a resident of Fort Wayne, IN; Stevensville, MI; and Clinton, TN. He and his wife recently returned to Fort Wayne in May 2021.

He is survived by Katherine, his loving wife of almost 60 years, his 5 children - Annemarie (Bert) Fisher of Terrytown, LA; Derrick (Andrea) Smith of Woodlawn, TN; Shannon (Mitchell Pearson) Smith of Denham Springs, LA; Laura (Terry) Kissane of Fort Wayne and Dawn (William R., Jr.) Creal of Reston, VA. George is also survived by his younger brother, Terrence E. Smith, Jr. of Silver Spring, MD; grandsons Austin (Ana) Christman of DeLand, FL and Connor (Alayna) Christman of Fort Wayne; 6 step-grandchildren, 2 nephews, extended family and in-laws, and many cherished friends. His life was enriched by the unconditional love of many canine and feline children, those that have gone before him and the two that remain, Willow and Patches.

He began his career as a carrier with the US Postal Service. Next, he became a Sales Representative for Procter & Gamble, earning awards as “Salesman of the Year” in both New Orleans and Detroit districts, and retiring after nearly 30 years. 

George started coaching baseball and basketball in the late 1970s. Realizing that arguing with the umpire was futile, he decided, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!“ He traded his lineup card for umpire gear and moved behind the plate.  He remained a fixture for 35 years at baseball and softball games and garnered high praise as one of the best. His dear friend and former pastor remembers his advice to “always leave the field with the winning team.”

George earned the nickname “The Weatherman” as early as junior high school because he loved predicting the daily forecasts and was often more accurate than those on the local news. He would pile his family in the car and drive over an hour, just for the chance for his small children to “see snow” - a rare occurrence in southeastern Louisiana. He loved music, especially from the 50s.  He appreciated good food, shared with friends and family, and avidly followed LSU Tigers football, baseball and basketball, the New Orleans Saints, and the Chicago Cubs. He loved working in his yard and took great pride in winning “Garden of the Month” awards wherever he lived.

His children fondly mimic his corny jokes but appreciate his unique sense of humor, as he leaves a legacy of laughter and love. We hope that he is now, as Bob Uecker used to say, “in the front row!” And finally, as much as his loss is felt on Earth, the Lord must have needed a good umpire to call a double-header.  A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. To honor George, memorial donations can be made to your local animal shelter/rescue; youth baseball program or Heartland Hospice of Fort Wayne.  (https://www.promedicahospice.org/find-an-agency/heartland-hospice-ft-wayne/)

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