Gary L. Smith

Gary L. “Smitty” Smith, age 79 years old, of Helena, Ohio, passed away on August 20, 2024, peacefully at his home. Gary was born on July 26, 1945, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Harold and Betty (Miller) Smith. He was a 1965 graduate of Lake high school and after graduating, joined the US ARMY, in September of 1965, where he proudly served his country. He went to Vietnam from April of 1966 until May of 1967 and served as a fifth echelon mechanic. He served the remainder of his time in Ft. Campbell, Ky. After his military service, he married Diane Oliver, on December 16, 1972, and the two enjoyed almost 52 years of marriage.

Gary worked as a master mold maker at O-I, Libby Glass, from September 1970, until his retirement, in May 2002. While working with O-I, he and "Hats" made the master molds to the glass key to the city of Toledo, one of which hangs in the VA Medical facility, in Toledo. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, working on old cars, motorcycles and riding his Harley Davidson.

Left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Diane K. (Oliver) Smith; four children, Daniel Skadeland Jr., Jeremy "Boe" (Jennifer) Skadeland, Amy (Jim) Baldridge and Alexandra (Dean) Foster; 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Mark (Janet) Smith and Michael Smith; and one sister, Diane Davis. Gary was preceded in death by both of his parents, Harold and Betty (Miller) Smith; and one brother, Daniel Smith.

A special thank you to Randy Aldrich, a wonderful friend and neighbor who has been our saving grace for the past year. In addition, thank you to our adopted grandchildren, Scott Aldrich and Kelsey Ridenour, who we are so thankful for.

A celebration of life memorial, honoring the service Gary proudly gave to our country, will be held on September 14, 2024, at 2:00 pm, at Sycamore Grove, in Lucky, Ohio.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/