Thomas L. Smith

Thomas L. Smith, age 76, of Sandusky, died Sunday morning, Jan. 3, 2016, in Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, following a brief illness.He was born Sept. 8, 1939, in Sandusky, and attended St. Mary's grade school and Margaretta High School. He was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church, Sandusky, and was a lifelong commercial fisherman, starting at the age of seven. By 1970, he became owner of Cold Creek Fish Co. He also managed Bay View Marshes. He was an expert trapper and duck hunting guide. His passion was wetland preservation for the benefit of wildlife especially the waterfowl that migrated through this area.He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Ryan) Smith; one daughter, Tamara (Bruce) Holmer of Sandusky; three sons, Thomas Smith Jr. of Plymouth, Minn., Chuck (Ellen) Smith of Huntsville, Ala., and Joe (Elisabeth) Smith of Sandusky; one grandson, Joshua (Christina) Holmer; nine granddaughters, Heather (Andrew) Kuns, Brook Holmer, Kelsey Holmer, Mallory Smith, Kylie Smith, Chanel (Michael) Crees, Helen Smith, Samantha Smith, and Kathryn Smith; four great-grandchildren, Layla Kuns, Willow Kuns, Charlie Phillips, Mackenzie Holmer; brother, Richard (Wanda) Smith of Sandusky; sisters, Joyce (James) Keller of Castalia, and Sally (David) Yeager of Toledo.Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Lenora Smith; father, August Smith; sister, Virginia Schoewe; two brothers, Jimmy and Bobby Smith; and nephew, James Keller Jr.Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Ransom Funeral and Cremation Service, 610 S. Washington St., Castalia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, with Rev. Matthew Frisbee officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.Memorials may be made to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870, Sandusky Central Catholic School Scholarship Fund, 410 W. Jefferson St., Sandusky, OH 44870, or to Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, 417 Quarry Lakes, Sandusky, OH 44870.Condolences may be shared with the family at ransomfuneralhome.com.