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Gary Lawrence Smith
1946 - 2019
Gary’s life on earth came to an end on Saturday June 29, 2019 while at home in Reno with family. He was 72.
Gary was born September 8, 1946 at Parks Victory Memorial Hospital in Napa to Suzanne and Lawrence Smith. He graduated from Napa High School in June 1964, followed by graduations from Napa College in 1966 and Sacramento State in 1968.
Growing up Gary was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Eagle Scout. Gary played little league baseball and impromptu games of baseball, football, and basketball on the street in front of the house with friends, family, and neighbors. He was on the school track team grades 7 thru 12. Exercise was always important to Gary. The night before he passed, he had set out his gym clothes anticipating a trip to the gym in the morning.
Gary was a bartender for nearly 25 years at Circus Circus. Gary graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in May 2011 with a Masters Degree in Human Development and Family Studies to further his knowledge of his chosen new career: a counselor for those dealing with drug or alcohol abuse. Gary was well suited for this position. He was incredibly good at putting himself in the other person’s shoes, as his nearly 30 years of sobriety can attest to. Gary is deeply respected and loved in his workplace, Quest Counseling, and in the community. He is beloved by his clients.
Gary is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Courtney (Joey) Romeo and his grandchildren Caitlyn, Joseph, Jessica and Courtney’s mom Randy (Hal) Smedley, Susan’s daughter Jennifer (Shane) Warner, his brother Bob (Marianne) Smith, nieces Trisha Smith and Suzanne Helfrick and their families, and many others.
Gary was a wonderful man, a very kind and caring individual. He will be missed immensely. There will be a celebration of Gary’s life on Sunday August 11th at Virginia Lake, Reno, Nevada beginning at 11 AM. Gary was the most awesome brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and husband that anyone could ask for. In the paper this morning: https://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/gary-lawrence-smith/article_1aeb45eb-7245-53d9-be9d-d9
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David Johnson
Gary was part of our little B-Baller gang with Ellwin Jobe, Steve Ceriani, John Ferrell, Wally Keller, Mike Crane etc...
So glad to hear he found a valuable and rewading life with his family. A little sad we only catch up with old classmates after they are gone.
David Johnson
Douglas Murray
Wow, like Dave, I am saddened to be writing about Gary rather than to Gary. I have asked after him many times over the years but no one seemed to know anything about him. I am happy, as Dave is, to see he found his way to a happy and meaningful life. So many memories.
Leszek Szmidt
Gary an I grew up together. We attended elementary school, Redwood, Napa High and then NVC. We also matriculated through scouts and evently became Eagle Scouts. In one of our reunions, Gary and I chatted and I learned he was working for the Probation Department in Sac. After that we lost contact. I tried to find him, but it never occured to me he had moved to Reno. Like the previous posters, I am happy he found his niche and was a positive influence in the lives of the people he touched and sorry I found him only to say RIP Gary.