Jerry Smith

Jerome Bernard Smith, age 78, passed away on November 4, 2021. Jerry was born to Frances (née Jones) and James Smith in Denver, Colorado on August 21st, 1943. He was their third child – younger brother to Jim and Ellen, and older brother to Pat. Jerry grew up with his family in North Denver and Westminster, and he attended Westminster High School. Despite spending most of his free time working on his 1940 Ford or clerking at Red Owl, during his senior year, he met his future wife, Gloria Rice. He graduated from high school in 1961 and they were married in 1964. While attending the University of Denver and working full-time stocking shelves at Safeway, his first daughter, Cheryl, was born. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1968 and went on to pass his CPA exam (on the first try!) in 1969. The next big celebration was the birth of his second daughter, Alicia. After college, Jerry worked for Alexander Grant and, in 1975, started his own accounting practice, where he and Gloria worked side by side for more than 20 years. He left his practice to become CFO of Western Fasteners. After retiring from Western Fasteners, he resumed his private accounting practice.

Jerry treasured his time with his family whether it was spent doing yardwork, building retaining walls, or annual summer vacations in Steamboat and California. When Jerry became proud Papa to grandsons, Nicholas and Matthew, his already huge heart grew even bigger and all of the rules about candy that he had with his children went right out the window. In addition to spoiling his grandchildren, Jerry loved to work on his cars, go fishing, tinker with anything, and investigate his family history and genealogy. Jerry explored the back roads of Colorado in his 4WD Ford Bronco and fished nearly every river he could get to. He restored a 1934 Ford pickup truck and spent many weekends at car shows and Golden Cruise Night with friends and, in later years, with his grandsons. Jerry was a native Coloradan, descended from Colorado's first settlers, and enjoyed researching family ancestry and visiting sites of family heritage.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Gloria of Arvada, his daughters Cheryl Smith (Valerie Sinzdak) of Philadelphia, PA and Alicia Granados of Arvada; grandchildren Nicholas and Matthew Granados of Arvada; brother James Smith of Pueblo; sisters Ellen Jamison and Patricia Jamison of Greeley; brother-in-law Richard Lieb of Pipersville, PA; 10 nieces: Kelly, Roberta, Julie, Jessica, Jennifer, Rachel, Lauren, Brooke, Suzie, and Allyson; and 5 nephews: Mike, Pat, Tommy, Bobby, and Jamie. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers-in-law Dick Jamison, Tom Jamison, and sisters-in-law Jean Smith, Henrietta Lieb, and LaVaughn Steamer, niece Deborah Steamer, and his dear friends Sid Greiner, Robert Salvato Sr., Judy Severini, and Linda (Fritz) Bjork.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution in Jerry's memory to the Autism Society of Colorado, www.autismcolorado.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Smith family. Please click the link on the memorial page to join a Livestream of the service.