Gary David Smith, age 70, passed away on May 25, 2020 at St. Anthony’s Hospital of Lakewood, Colorado. Gary was born to Henry and Norma Smith on October 24, 1949 in Denver, Colorado. Gary is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dianne Buckley Smith of Bailey, Colorado; his daughter Lisa Buckley of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his daughter Jeannette Smith of Bailey; his son Jeremy Smith of Denver; his daughter Theresa Smith of Bailey; his three sisters Doris DeLuca of Birmingham, Alabama, Carol Stock of Sheffield, Iowa, Nancy Bensman of Denver; his two sisters-in-law Marilee Buckley and Colleen (Derek) Jansen, both of Bailey, and his adored grandchildren, Eleanor and Evelyn Pontoriero of Cheyenne, Liam and Thelen Smith of Denver, and David Smith of Bailey. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Growing up, Gary worked several part time jobs before he was 16, mowing lawns and delivering newspapers. Once he was 16 and had a car, he worked for a Red Owl grocery store for 2 years. Then Gary went to King Soopers and worked in the Produce Department where he remained for 47 years. When asked if he ever wanted to do something else, he would just laugh and say he wasn’t going anywhere because people always had to eat! He worked for many years at the Monaco and Hampden store where he was well loved. He knew customers by name and had many who would come in just to see him. He was offered a management position on more than one occasion but declined saying that being a manager would change his relationship with his coworkers.
Gary was a 1967 graduate of South High School in Denver and attended Arapahoe Community College. He loved camping and the outdoors, instilled early by camping trips with relatives. One summer in high school, he was invited to be a ranch hand on a sheep ranch of family friends in Eagle, Colorado. He truly thought he was there just for the experience and couldn’t believe it when they paid him a handsome sum at the end of the summer. He often said it was the best summer of his life.
It was always Gary’s dream to own a mountain home which he realized in 1983 when he and his family moved to Bailey, Colorado. He loved the beauty and privacy of the trees on his property and enough space for the many dogs he owned over the years to roam. He also loved being part of a small community where everyone was so friendly. He had long days commuting to Denver for work, but always seemed to find the energy to wrestle and play with his children and read them bedtime stories as they all piled into bed together.
Gary’s grandfather was a mechanic and his Dad also shared a lot of mechanical knowledge, so it was no surprise that Gary loved cars and working on them. His children would often find him working on one of his vehicles in the garage, where he would patiently explain what he was doing as they observed and helped. In later life he never failed to ask about the maintenance of their vehicles or how recently they had changed the oil.
His retirement, (the past five years) was hardly what he had envisioned: puttering around his beloved mountain home, camping with family and friends, and perhaps restoring his 1969 Chevelle that sat in his garage. Instead, he suffered numerous medical challenges, and although he fought back bravely each time, they eventually stole him from us.
He was kind, gentle, compassionate and fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He had an easy-going personality, a fun sense of humor and an impish grin. His smile would light up a room and he was friendly to everyone. He loved cars, camping and family but most of all he loved his family and they loved him back. He was a mentor and role model to his children and shared a special bond with his special-needs grandson.
We rejoice that he is joining other family members in his heavenly home but will forever miss him on this earth.
