Dr. Thomas Richard Smith

Thomas Richard Smith, MD, 79, died Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Ochsner Hospital Westbank, surrounded by his family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. at Mothe Funeral Home, 7040 Lapalco Blvd, Marrero. Family friend, Fr. Herb Kiff will officiate. Visitation at 10 a.m.

Dr. Smith was born July 28, 1934 in Bastrop, Louisiana to Harrison Lee and Mabel (Hassler) Smith. He married Drenda (McLendon) Ward on March 1, 1980 in Gretna, Louisiana. She survives.

Dr. Smith is also survived by a son, Todd Smith of River Ridge, his wife, Kay (Landry), and their children, Courtney, Cody and Conner; a daughter, Monica (Smith) Senner of Belle Chasse, her husband, Scott, and their children, Grayson and Harrison; a daughter, Terri Jarell Ward of New Orleans; a son, Jamie Ward of Gretna, his wife Sara (Cornell), and their children, Clover and Caroline; a son, Scott Smith of Gretna; a nephew, Carl Gunter, his wife Elsa (Pritchard), and their children George and Richard; a nephew, Jerry Gunter, his wife Marie, and their children Virginia and Rebecca.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sylvia (Smith) Gunter.

Dr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern State College in 1957 and a Medical Doctorate from Louisiana State University in 1961. He served in the United States Army from 1961-1964, completing his medical internship at Ireland Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky and as a flight surgeon in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was awarded an Ob/Gyn fellowship from the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in 1964 and served his residency on the LSU service at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1965-1967. He became certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1969 and again in 1979.

Dr. Smith was in practice in Gretna for over 45 years, from 1967 until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Jefferson Parish Medical Society, the American Fertility Society and the American Medical Society.

He was a long-time member of the Timberlane Country Club and an avid golfer though he enjoyed all sports. His hobbies also included cooking, gardening, reading and crossword puzzels, gadgets and computers.

Richard, as he was known to most, was a soft-spoken man who was as straight-forward as he was compassionate. He enjoyed a good conversation, especially when it turned to politics, Saints or LSU football. He adored children and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was well-liked and highly respected in the medical community for his knowledge, patience and expertise. He was a friend, mentor and father-figure to many.

Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes or St. Jude Children’s research Hospital. A visitation will be held at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 10AM until 11AM. Memorial Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11AM. Interment will be held privately at a later date.