"I will missed you a lot as my brother and friend step dad Gary Smith in Christ rest in peace. "
Gary L. Smith went home to be with the Lord on May 18, 2020, at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Austin TX, after suffering from heart failure.
Gary was born in 1942, in Ft. Scott KS. He was the second youngest of eight children. After High School, he worked for a Ft. Scott marble company. In 1965, he began working for the Post Office, but left in February 1966 to join the United States Air Force, in response to the Vietnam War. He served nine years as an Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician, working on helicopters and other military aircraft, both Stateside and in Thailand during the war. He also cross-trained and worked another ten and a half years in Public Affairs, writing and proofing various media until working his way up to the base Newspaper Editor for McChord AFB in Tacoma WA, Plattsburgh AFB in Plattsburgh NY, Ramstein AFB in Ramstein-Miesenbach Germany and Bergstrom AFB in Austin TX. Gary was honorably discharged in 1986 and returned to the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked until his second retirement, in 2006.
Gary is survived by his wife, Wanda Watkins Smith; his daughter, Stephanie Perkins, and her mother, Sue Wilson Smith; his stepchildren, Michael Hood Jr, Mitchell Hood and Anthony Hood; his brother, Billy Smith; his sister, Janice Pent; several step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Faye Smith, his son, Timothy Ivan Smith, his son-in-law, James D. Perkins, and his siblings: Don Smith, Neil Smith, Rosalee Cox, Harold Smith and Joyce Johnson.
"I will missed you a lot as my brother and friend step dad Gary Smith in Christ rest in peace. "
"Wanda, my sister, Anthony, my nephew, Stephanie, and extended family?-my sincere condolences and deepest love to you all! I will miss you, Gary, my brother-in-law! I?m so glad to have met you and known you! May your Spirit keep watch over all whom you love. Grief and sadness do not last. Someday, we shall all see one another again, happy, healthy; our hearts filled with joy and peace. "
"Mr. Smith (sorry I never quite could get comfortable calling him Gary) was a fixture in my family\'s life since the 80s (?!). I\'ll miss his kind subtle humor and gentleness. Thank you for sharing him. Love to Wanda, Stephanie, Sue, and the gang. "
"Love to you, Aunt Wanda and family. Thinking of you in this time. - Bethany"
"Wanda & Family Walt & I send our love along with our thoughts & Prayers. We are so Blessed to have met Gary in June 2008 & witness the two of you get married. We were Blessed to have him as our Brother in law. We love you Sis & we are here if you need anything. God Bless You.."
"I will missed you my step dad Gary Smith .rest in peace I love you miss you "
"My condolences to Wanda the family friends and the Church. May he rest in peace..such a wonderful soul"
"Sending prayers and love to my Aunt Wanda, Stephanie, and all of my cousins and extended family. I wish I lived a little closer but please know that you have all been in my thoughts this week. I\'m grateful that I was able to meet Uncle Gary. -Carole Showell"