Barry Lee Smith, 71, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away July 12, 2011. He was born September 24, 1939 in Shelbyville, IN to Rohr and Geraldine Smith. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the US Air Force and worked as an Aviation Mechanic for Detroit Diesel Allison in Indianapolis, IN. He retired in 1986. In 1985, he and his wife moved to Punta Gorda, FL from Shelbyville and Barry worked as a Building Superintendant for Rockwell Homes here in Charlotte County. He was a member of the San Antonio Catholic Church and was a lifetime member of the Port Charlotte Elks Lodge 2153. He enjoyed woodworking and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his best friend and wife of 47 years, Gretchen A. Smith of Punta Gorda, FL; sons, Kirk (Kathy) Smith of Florence, Co and Kyle (Chena) Smith of Jacksonville, FL; grandsons, Markus Thompson and Payton Smith, both of Jacksonville; mother-in-law, Mary Horigan of Punta Gorda; sister-in-law, Myrna Bennett of Indianapolis, IN; brother-in-law, Todd Horigan of Shelbyville, IN.
A Memorial Service will be held at San Antonio Catholic Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barry may be made to Tidewell Hospice at tidewell.org.
