Family Remembers The Life Of TD Smith After His Death

For TD Smith, his life has been filled with accomplishments, acknowledgment and joy. 

“I think he lettered 17 times in football and track,” said Bill Lee, TD’s stepson.  

Growing up in San Antonio, TD Smith was quite the athlete. In fact, there’s a street named in his honor at Abilene Christian University where he attended school.  

“He actually was inducted into the Abilene Christian Sports Hall of Fame,” said Barbara Smith, TD’s widow.  

After his time at Abilene Christian, Mr. Smith had quite the career in the United States Air Force, most notably remembered by the time his plane exploded in midair.  

“Fall 5,000 feet out of the air without a parachute, slam into the side of a mountain, and then able to survive for three days and help others survive,” said Lee.  

Mr. Smith is credited for keeping himself and the surviving crew members alive.  

“He found a parachute in the back of the plane, wrapped it around him so maybe they could see him, plus trying to keep himself warm,” said Mrs. Smith.  

He was promoted 16 times in 17 years to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His love for his country rivals his love for shooting.  

“Go to TD Smith NRA Museum, they have his original gun and one of the gold medals that he took the title at the Pan Am games,” said Mrs. Smith.  

Mr. Smith set shooting records in the 1960’s that still stand today. 

“He had 79 national and world records,” said Mrs. Smith.  

Mr. Smith would later use his abilities to train law enforcement officers with OHP, OKC Police Department and the FBI. Mr. Smith passed away on May 17, at 90 years old.  

He will be celebrated for being a hero for his country and his family. 

There have been talks of documentaries and even movies about Mr. Smith and everything he accomplished in his life, it’s definitely a story worth telling.