Gregory Norman Smith

Gregory Norman Smith was called to his Savior on June 30, 2015 at Methodist Hospice Residence after a brief battle with Creutz-feldt Jacob disease. Greg was born June 19, 1950 in Staten Island, New York. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Barnes Smith and Margaret (Peggy) Anselm Smith of Daytona Beach, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, LeeAnne (Pickens) Smith, and two sons. Dane Gregory Smith resides in McLean, Virginia, with his wife, Dr. Sarah Harper Smith, and children Owen, Madeleine, and Andrew. Brandon Joel Smith and his wife Symbat reside in Collierville, TN. A brother, Dr. Charles William Smith, and his wife Connie reside in Rochester, Minnesota. He is lovingly remembered by his father-in-law, Frank M. Pickens, and LeeAnne’s siblings Kathleen, Janie, Allen, Beth and their spouses. He was greatly loved by his16 nieces and nephews.

Greg attended St. John’s Lutheran School and Curtis High School in Staten Island, New York. In the summers, he worked as a camp counselor at Camp Miller, a Lutheran boy’s camp on the Delaware River. He attended Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN) graduating in 1972 with a BS degree in biology. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon and Alpha Phi Omega. After graduation, he worked at US Steel in Gary, IN as a metallurgical process observer. He and LeeAnne were married on June 2, 1973, at Faith Lutheran Church in Kirksville, MO. Greg began working at Owens-Corning Fiberglas in Valparaiso, IN. He worked in various capacities including production planning supervisor, safety supervisor, and purchasing. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso and a Cub Scout leader.

In 1996 the family moved to Collierville, TN where he became a corporate purchasing manager for AOC. Always the purchasing manager and an avid Walmart shopper, family and neighbors remember the time he gifted them with 14 DVD players because they were such a good buy. He worked at AOC until the time of his illness. Greg was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN serving as usher, elder, and chairman of the call committee. He loved helping with church events such as Trunk or Treat, Fair on the Square, the Christmas parade float and the Gong Show. He was a part of the “Empty Nesters” Bible study group.He enjoyed many hobbies such as Lionel O27 gauge model trains and model rockets. He loved to canoe and also was a member of the Memphis Sport Shooting Association. He was a loyal fan of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Redbirds. He also made a pilgrimage each year to the Masters in Augusta, GA .

His favorite pastimes were spending time with his sons and grandchildren and exercising the Aussies, Missy and Trixie. He greatly enjoyed good times with family and friends and made frequent visits to McLean, VA, Kirksville, MO, and St. Petersburg, FL. He loved to travel and visited Europe many times as well as Canada, Mexico, and Thailand over the course of his life.

Friends and family describe him as a softhearted, generous, selfless, fun-loving, hardworking, “what needs to be done?” person who always put the needs of others ahead of his own.

A worship service will be held on Friday, July 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN. A light luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Faith Lutheran Preschool.