Gary Walton Smith

Smith was a devoted father of five who was a successful entrepreneur, an inventor, a pilot, a United States Marine, a reserve deputy sheriff, a black belt in combat Judo, a commander in the South Carolina Guard and a shag dancer.

After growing up in Memphis, TN and Tucson, AZ, he put himself through college earning a Bachelor of Science studying chemistry at Memphis State University. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1968. After serving his country, he took a job with DuPont selling materials to printed circuit board manufacturers.

In 1979, he started several magazines for the budding printed circuit industry. The magazines were distributed worldwide and considered the leading publications of their time for printed circuit fabrication and assembly.

Around that same time he also started Proto Systems of Atlanta, which manufactured printed circuit boards. At one time the companies employed over 350 people and in the early 1980’s, Proto Systems was the largest employer in North Fulton County. Proto Systems of Atlanta is considered the first high-tech company to locate in Alpharetta and a display in the Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum commemorates Proto Systems and Gary Smith.

He was a pilot and volunteered his piloting and his plane to Angel Flights, transporting people in need of critical medical care. He also was a member of the South Carolina Guard as Commander, instructor and pilot and was commissioned to Lt. Colonel by Governor Nikkie Haley. Smith also volunteered as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

He will be deeply missed and is survived by his sons Geoff Smith and Doug Smith and his daughters Wendy Smith, Tricia Thorman and Sophia Alecozay. He also leaves behind 6 grandsons in Patrick, Nathan, Samuel, Evan, Ben and Charlie, and 3 grand-daughters Natalie, Celia and Samantha.

A service will be held on Saturday, January 17th at Roswell Funeral Home at 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30075. Visitation will start at 11:30 a.m. with a service starting at 12:30 p.m. A reception will take place after at 43 Wood Place, Roswell, GA 30075.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to American Legion Post 201’s Community Matters fundraiser to upgrade the facilities there: https://legion201.org/community-matters/