Obituary for Gary W. Smith
Gary Wilmot Smith of Ann Arbor, Michigan died December 30, 2019 at the age of 85.
Gary was born November 4, 1934 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Murray JA and Juliaett J. (Wines) Smith. He married the love of his life Patricia Ann (Ball) on January 22, 1965. Gary graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1954. He proudly served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended Henry Ford College. He has been a member of Grace Bible Church since 1966. He served as the Vice President of Ann Arbor Machine and also worked in sales at Pinnacle Engineering with his brother, nephew, and great-nephew.
Gary grew up in Ann Arbor. As a kid he shined shoes and sold newspapers on the street corners of Main and Liberty with his brother. Gary loves to drive around Ann Arbor reminiscing about all the places of his childhood. After graduation from Ann Arbor High, he became a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in California and Okinawa, Japan. Over the years he picked up the nicknames "Spoly" and "Smitty."
After graduating from Henry Ford College Gary went to work with his father at Ann Arbor Machine as a welder. There he discovered his love for art, welding, and gifting his art to all of us. He loved painting and wood carving. He loved to cook and enjoy great food. Gary loved the lord and he has shared his faith in Jesus Christ with many. Gary was led to the lord by his Aunt Ruby and was baptized in 1966.
Gary had a deep love for his wife Pat and their family. He could always be seen slow dancing in the kitchen with his wife, wrestling in the living room with the kids or teasing the grandkids (removing their noses or pulling quarters out of their ears). He had nick names for the grandkids too: "Church Mouse," "Sitting Bull," and "Crazy Horse" to name a few. Gary loved the outdoors! He loved trout fishing, mushroom hunting, deer hunting, and pheasant hunting with his sons and other family members. He LOVES his cabin in Wolverine, Michigan. Gary was a hardworking man! Who is Karl? Will we ever know?
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Pat; his children, Ronald Wilmot (Rhonda Scott) Smith, Gary Russel Smith, Pamela (Richard) Clark, and Lori (Timothy) Larsen; grandchildren, Kristine Anne (Hal) Williams, Ryann Suzanne Smith, Ronald Wilmot Smith II, Chelsea Cole Larsen, Hannah Lynn Larsen, Amber Lee (Merrill) Collins, Daniel Richard (Kaylee) Clark, and Holly Rae (Joshua) Kercher; six great-grandchildren; brother, Murray Eugene Smith; sister, Diane (Ken) Harrison; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. He will also be missed by his grand-dog, Coco.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Murray; his mother, Juliaett; niece, Leslie Figg; and sister-in-law, Gertrude Smith.
Visitation Sunday, January 5, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor. Additional visitation Monday, January 6, 2019 from 10 am until time of funeral service at 11 am at Grace Bible Church, 1300 S Maple Road, Ann Arbor with Rev. Doug Strader officiating.
Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Paralyzed Veterans of America or Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
Gary was born November 4, 1934 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Murray JA and Juliaett J. (Wines) Smith. He married the love of his life Patricia Ann (Ball) on January 22, 1965. Gary graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1954. He proudly served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended Henry Ford College. He has been a member of Grace Bible Church since 1966. He served as the Vice President of Ann Arbor Machine and also worked in sales at Pinnacle Engineering with his brother, nephew, and great-nephew.
Gary grew up in Ann Arbor. As a kid he shined shoes and sold newspapers on the street corners of Main and Liberty with his brother. Gary loves to drive around Ann Arbor reminiscing about all the places of his childhood. After graduation from Ann Arbor High, he became a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in California and Okinawa, Japan. Over the years he picked up the nicknames "Spoly" and "Smitty."
After graduating from Henry Ford College Gary went to work with his father at Ann Arbor Machine as a welder. There he discovered his love for art, welding, and gifting his art to all of us. He loved painting and wood carving. He loved to cook and enjoy great food. Gary loved the lord and he has shared his faith in Jesus Christ with many. Gary was led to the lord by his Aunt Ruby and was baptized in 1966.
Gary had a deep love for his wife Pat and their family. He could always be seen slow dancing in the kitchen with his wife, wrestling in the living room with the kids or teasing the grandkids (removing their noses or pulling quarters out of their ears). He had nick names for the grandkids too: "Church Mouse," "Sitting Bull," and "Crazy Horse" to name a few. Gary loved the outdoors! He loved trout fishing, mushroom hunting, deer hunting, and pheasant hunting with his sons and other family members. He LOVES his cabin in Wolverine, Michigan. Gary was a hardworking man! Who is Karl? Will we ever know?
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Pat; his children, Ronald Wilmot (Rhonda Scott) Smith, Gary Russel Smith, Pamela (Richard) Clark, and Lori (Timothy) Larsen; grandchildren, Kristine Anne (Hal) Williams, Ryann Suzanne Smith, Ronald Wilmot Smith II, Chelsea Cole Larsen, Hannah Lynn Larsen, Amber Lee (Merrill) Collins, Daniel Richard (Kaylee) Clark, and Holly Rae (Joshua) Kercher; six great-grandchildren; brother, Murray Eugene Smith; sister, Diane (Ken) Harrison; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. He will also be missed by his grand-dog, Coco.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Murray; his mother, Juliaett; niece, Leslie Figg; and sister-in-law, Gertrude Smith.
Visitation Sunday, January 5, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor. Additional visitation Monday, January 6, 2019 from 10 am until time of funeral service at 11 am at Grace Bible Church, 1300 S Maple Road, Ann Arbor with Rev. Doug Strader officiating.
Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Paralyzed Veterans of America or Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.