Thomas M.D.

Tom and his identical twin brother were born June 13, 1950, at the new Lea General Hospital, Hobbs, New Mexico, on the hospital opening day, the first twins born at the new hospital. Welcoming their new sons were parents Gen and J. O. Smith of Hobbs.
Tom graduated as salutatorian from Hobbs High School in 1968 and graduated in 1972 from NMSU in Las Cruces, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1972. In 1976, he received his medical degree from UNM, completing his residency in internal medicine in 1979 from Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Smith opened his practice in Seattle and was joined by his twin brother practicing together for eighteen years. Continuing as a soloist until his untimely death on May 5, 2018, due to injuries sustained in a highway accident.
Tom's mission in life was to take care of others, servicing all patients whom medical service was not available to them including the underprivileged, the indigent, the elderly, and those with HIV diseases.
From the early epidemic years, he witnessed HIV change from a fatal sentence, until after much research, it became a treatable infection. Receiving many awards and certifications in this work, he was recognized nationally as a HIV specialist. Also, being recognized by the Governor of the State of Washington, for his humanitarianism. Going beyond the call of duty, making house calls to home bound patients who needed his care and concern. A rare service these days.
Mission accomplished, Tom.
He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered for kind words, encouragement, concern, humor, and humanitarianism.
A memorial celebration of his life was held May 12 in the Seattle with several hundred in attendance, friends, patients, and other physicians. Tom was proceeded in death by his parents, Gen and J.O. Smith of Hobbs. Survived by his twin brother, Dr. Timothy James Smith, M.D. of Twentynine Palms, California, and his aunt Jo Anne Zespy of Hobbs.
I will always miss you and remember all the years we had together and all the wonderful memories of life with you. Your brother, Tim.

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