T. J. Smith, 69, of Burlington, KY, and formerly of Knox County, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2016 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was a son of the late Caleb and Lily Mae Smith born to them on December 30, 1946 at Fount, Kentucky.

T. J. was a Locomotive Engineer with CSX Transportation and retired after 31 years. He proudly served our country in the KY National Guard Barbourville Unit, was a longtime member of Greenview Baptist Church, loved spending time with family, and watching UK Basketball, a former employee of Hopper Funeral Home, and a former employee of the Knox County Hospital.

T. J. is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sandra Kay "Sandy" Smith of Burlington, KY and their children, Jeffrey David (Angie) Smith of Edgewood, KY and Kevin Michael (Kristina) Smith of Florence, KY, sisters, Stella Smith of Gray, KY, Nettie (Lonnie) Davidson of Barbourville, KY and sister-in-law, Linda (Ken) Baker of West Chester, OH. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Ian, Caleb, Mallory, Olivia, Brooklyn and a host of nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends to mourn his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Caleb and Lily Mae Smith, his two sisters: Virgie Vaughn and Evelyn Smith, and by his three brothers: Virgil, Burchell and Vertlo.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 10am to 1pm at Linnemann Family Funeral Homes in Burlington, KY with Funeral Services to follow at 1pm at the funeral home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Howard officiating.

Burial will be at Richwood Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice.

This announcement is a courtesy of the Hopper Funeral Home.