W. Thomas Blackshear, 81, of Smithfield, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 in Riverside Regional Medical Center.  Tom was the son of the late Wayman Law and Elouise Mouring Blackshear.  Tom served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1955-1957. He graduated with honors from Florida State University with a B.S. degree in Mathematics and was elected in the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Mu Epsilon fraternities. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master’s Degree in science.  He worked for NASA as research scientist for 35 years. 

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Opal Colson Blackshear; son, Mike Blackshear (Tracey); grandsons, Dylan Blackshear of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Owen Blackshear of Hampton.  He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jere Blackshear and Jim Blackshear.  He was a member of Mayo United Methodist Church in Mayo, Fla.  A memorial service will be held in his home state of Florida at a later date.  Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.