Terry Thomas Smith

0
1286

Aug. 13, 1942 – Sept. 29, 2016

Terry Smith
Terry Smith

For over 35 years, Terry Smith was a devoted resident of Laguna Beach and a long time benefactor and trustee of Laguna College of Arts & Design. He served as development committee chair, Collectors Choice committee chair, and was instrumental in funding many special projects, and the LCAD Scholarship Fund.

Knowledge was always a quest, and a gift for Smith to give. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Pomona College, and a masters from Claremont Graduate School. After 23 years, he retired from Balboa Life and Casualty after holding a series of positions from programmer analyst to regional office manager.

Smith also worked for Sisters of St. Joseph Data Center, Pacific Life, and as a math teacher at La Canada High School. He also taught an information technology course at Irvine Valley College for 14 years.

As a committed volunteer, Smith was active in Laguna Beach City Council, served on the Laguna Beach Arts Commission, and volunteered for friends of the Library and the Laguna Police Department. His generous spirit and legacy is an example of the positive way in which one individual’s efforts can impact the community, champion culture and the arts, and enrich the lives of others in countless ways.

In addition to the arts, Smith liked fine cuisine, classical music, watched PBS loyally and baked a gourmet pumpkin pie and pecan pie every year for his dual Thanksgivings at the Bickel’s and the Crehan’s homes for over 25 years. We will eat our pie and think of Terry.

Smith bravely battled cancer, but succumbed to health complications due to a sudden critical infection.  He passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Sept. 29 at Mission Hospital, MV. He is survived by his partner, Wayne Peterson, and the families of cousins Lori Thompson Bickel and Allen Thompson, and Wayne’s niece and nephews, Christy, Paul and Mark Allen.

A service will be held in Smith’s honor at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 428 Park Ave., in Laguna Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Terry Smith Memorial Fund at Laguna College of Art and Design at www.lcad.edu.

 

Share this:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here