Obituary of Gary Lee Smith

Gary Lee Smith was born August 24, 1938 in Sioux City, IA.  Born into the depression, Gary grew up in Sioux City with his Mother, Doris (Murray) of Minnesota and Father, Anning Lewis "Lou" of Nebraska and two older brothers, Lew & Blaine. At a young age, Gary experienced WWII and air raids over his home, leaving him with lasting memories he would talk of from time to time.  He grew up between his home in Iowa and his maternal grandparents’ home on Dew Drop Lake in Minnesota.  His memories of Dew Drop held a special place in his heart.  Gary missed the draft for Vietnam by a “foot”, when he was turned away during a medical assessment for having foot rot. Which turned out to be simple athletes’ foot.  At age 17, his parents divorced, and the 3 boys stayed with their Father.  After high school graduation in 1956, from Central High School in Sioux City, with Blaine in Oregon working and Lew in the service, Gary and his Dad made the journey to move to Oregon at the end of 1960. Gary lived in Beaverton for the next 60 years.  He worked for Parker Furniture in Beaverton, Oregon before starting his own business building houses.  He built houses, built a business called GS Enterprises, and along with that, built a name... He married Deborah (Irvin) in 1974 and had 2 children, Tamara (Whitney) and William “Bill”. In the kids' early years Gary worked for Coast Vending in Beaverton where he forged long time friendships.  He continued to work as a general contractor but valued the security and benefits from his job at Coast.  He worked long hours continuing to build more of the Portland Metro area we know today... Mostly bars and restaurants such as the Dockside in Portland, Buddies Sports Bar & Grill in Aloha, The Tillicum in Raleigh Hills, and Prime Time Restaurant in Forest Grove. Gary lived to see many Presidents, many decades of change, Gulf Wars, 9/11, his children married, his grandchildren born and proudly watched his grandchildren grow into near adults. Sadly, Gary experienced his own divorce after 43 years of marriage at 78 years old. What didn't change for Gary was his light blue jeans and plaid shirt with 2 pockets which always held his cigarettes and pen in one pocket, checkbook, glasses and screwdriver in the other pocket. That, and his undying love for the Dallas Cowboys.

He leaves behind his daughter, Tamara Whitney (Smith) and grandson Ryan Whitney of Tualatin, son William Smith, daughter-in-law Jessica (Gutierrez) and granddaughter Carmen of Beaverton.  In death he precedes his two older brothers, A. Lewis “Lew” Smith of Briar, WA and Blaine Smith of Lincoln City, OR. As well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Rest in Peace Dad... this wild ride is over.