Gary L. Smith

August 5, 1950 - September 25, 2021

Gary Leo Smith, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother uncle and friend, passed away peacefully in his mate’s loving arms at home on the 25th of September 2021. He was born in Provo, Utah on August 5th, 1950, to Golden LeRoy Smith and Vilate Robinson Smith Olsen and stepfather, Alden Olsen. He grew up in Provo, attended Maeser Elementary, Farrer Junior High and Provo High School. He earned his GED while serving his country in the Army at a young age. While in the Army, he served in the United States, Germany, and Vietnam during the war. He was pulled out of the war early by the Chaplain of the Army due to being the only son of Golden Smiths who was dying rapidly of Prostate Cancer, who was also a serviceman and served in WWII. After Gary got home, he was surprisingly cuffed and arrested by the FBI for deserting a war zone. This was resolved quickly, and he was released to complete his service at Dugway Proving Grounds. Gary was a member of the Special Forces, a Green Beret, Airborne and also joined the National Guard after his regular duty where he was a member of Signal Company for years based out of Camp Williams, Utah. He met his sweetheart, Mary Louise Martin, while dragging Center Street in Provo which was the thing to be doing and the place to be if you were able to drive and were under the age of 25. Gary had great success at the many career choices he made as a cement truck driver, a long-haul truck driver, certified welder, pneumatic hydraulic technician and as an educator at Utah Trade Technical College of Orem teaching truck driving. He became a proud Union Member at Geneva Steel where he excelled up to the closure and demise of the steel plant. He then returned to college where he completed a Bachelorette in Business and a Master’s in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He became a Wireless Engineer and configured many cutting-edge wireless systems in the United States and Auckland New Zealand. While married to his sweetheart, they had two lovely children: Chad LeRoy Smith (Jody Johnson) and Michelle Ann Smith Taylor (Jason Taylor). Their 51 plus years of marriage were blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren which he loved with all his heart. Our family, being what it was, also had many “adopted” children who were friends of our children and neighbors who were welcomed into our home and went on vacation with them. Bear Lake was a yearly escape for the family. Gary loved to trap with his father and Uncle Arnold Smith, hunt and fish with family and friends. Going hunting with the Martin Clan was a yearly tradition which was waited for yearly. The Mountains were a place he was closest to God and where he felt at home. He was an avid Harley Davidson lover and rode many miles for BACA where he served the abused children of Utah County. This non-profit organization, at that time, gave the motorcycle a great deal of power which was transferred to the children in the realm of empowerment. Standing with these children in court when they met their perpetrator was an honor, he did not get tired of. Riding for the children or riding for self, road bikes, four wheelers or side by sides, Gary enjoyed having his face in the wind and feeling the freedom it provided. For Gary, neighbors were friends and comrades to converse and work with. Many of his friends have been given great memories by this fine man they worked and played with. He will miss them as they miss him. He is survived by Mary Lou, his wife of 51 years, son Chad LeRoy Smith (Jody) Lehi, Utah; Michelle Ann Smith (Jason) Taylor, of Holladay, Utah. His nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren are scattered throughout Utah County and filled his heart with burning love, life and memories. These children remain to be the light of his existence and a legacy to his life. He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth Anne Smith Dahle of Manilla, Utah, and a Granddaughter McKenzee Lou Smith. Gary’s Memorial and Celebration of Life will take place Wednesday, October 20th, at 1:30 to 3:00 pm, at Utah Valley Mortuary located at 1966 West 700 North Lindon, Utah, where a Family Reception will be held prior to his Memorial from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and Military Honors to follow at 3:00 pm. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.