Gary Smith
September 2, 1945 — March 31, 2017
Gary Lee Smith, son of John Roy and May Eva (Sellars) Smith was born September 2, 1945 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He attended school at Edison Elementary and Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs.
After high school, Gary was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War on February 27, 1965. He served his country honorably until being discharged February 26, 1968.
On July 8, 1988, Gary was united in marriage to Virginia E. Smith. They became parents to six children: Jon, Kevin, Christina, Mark, Mike and Jodie. He worked construction and foundry for some time and then drove semi truck.
Gary enjoyed spending time working on old cars and watching drag racing. He also enjoyed motorcycle rides with his wife Virginia. Gary loved being with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Gary died at his home in Harlan surrounded by his loving family on Friday, March 31, 2017, attaining the age of seventy-one years, six months and twenty-nine days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson Jakob.
He has left to cherish his memory, his wife of thirty years Virginia Smith of Harlan, Iowa; children Jon Smith and his wife Christine of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Kevin Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; Christina Smith of Shenandoah, Iowa; Mark Smith and his wife Kerri of Elk Horn, Iowa; Mike Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; Jodie Smith of Hastings, Nebraska; 27 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren; other family members and many friends.
After high school, Gary was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War on February 27, 1965. He served his country honorably until being discharged February 26, 1968.
On July 8, 1988, Gary was united in marriage to Virginia E. Smith. They became parents to six children: Jon, Kevin, Christina, Mark, Mike and Jodie. He worked construction and foundry for some time and then drove semi truck.
Gary enjoyed spending time working on old cars and watching drag racing. He also enjoyed motorcycle rides with his wife Virginia. Gary loved being with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Gary died at his home in Harlan surrounded by his loving family on Friday, March 31, 2017, attaining the age of seventy-one years, six months and twenty-nine days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson Jakob.
He has left to cherish his memory, his wife of thirty years Virginia Smith of Harlan, Iowa; children Jon Smith and his wife Christine of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Kevin Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; Christina Smith of Shenandoah, Iowa; Mark Smith and his wife Kerri of Elk Horn, Iowa; Mike Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; Jodie Smith of Hastings, Nebraska; 27 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren; other family members and many friends.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Smith, please visit our flower store.