Gary Lee Smith

Gary L. Smith, born January 7, 1939, to Ed and Edith Beard Smith, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024.

Gary and his wife had just celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Gary graduated from Eureka High School, Baker Oklahoma in 1957, Oklahoma State University in 1962 and 1969 (Masters in Aeronautical Engineering).

Gary served in the US Army (1962 – 1967) which included tours in Germany and Vietnam. Gary’s career in engineering spanned 30 years until retirement in 1997.

Gary was a quiet, yet witty person, who enjoyed some simple pleasures: long walks with his dog(s), Queen Anne Cherries, all sorts of building, wood carving and wood working, collecting thimbles with Carol, and an extremely rare steak cooked on a grill. Gary loved planning in detail annual RV trips, to the south and southwest, with the dogs and Carol. Gary also enjoyed spending time on his computer and communicating with his Facebook friends daily. Gary really enjoyed an ice cream sandwich while sitting on the front porch of his long-time Golden Valley home and valued the many friends from the neighborhood.

Gary was preceded in death by brother Galen (2008) and nephew Brad (2024).

Gary is survived by his wife Carol; Carol’s brother Dave and partner Jill; Carol’s sisters Barbara and Donna and their families. Gary is also survived by his niece Robin and her spouse Jennifer; his nephew Greg and his spouse Cindy, and their children; and numerous Smith and Beard related family members across the Midwest and Southwest.

Thank you to Dave and Maggie for their support during this difficult time and the staff at North Memorial ICU.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2025. Arrangements Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels, Robbinsdale, MN.