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Gary Jay Smith, 85, died peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Magnolia Senior Living in Sugar Hill, Ga. Gary was born January 6, 1940, in Enid, Okla., to George Jacob and Floy Jane (Meek) Smith. Gary was the youngest of six children, completing the family of three boys and three girls. George and Floy were both in their 40s when Gary arrived, and not long afterward their oldest sons were serving in WWII. Gary was doted on by his older sisters while his brothers were away and had kind and loving parents.
Gary began his shoe business life while a teen in Enid. He started his collegiate career at University of Oklahoma and completed it at Phillips University with a degree in business. Gary carried his experience and young family including both sons from Enid to Muskogee before landing at Price's Booterie in Shawnee, Okla., in 1968 as the manager and later owner of the store at 118 E Main. His family was complete in Shawnee a few years later with the birth of a daughter. Always a hard worker, Gary carried that work ethic from serving customers at the Booterie, to cheering for the Sooners, to his golf game.
Gary was involved in various local organizations at different times including Kiwanis, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, and First Baptist Church.
In his 50s Gary began a new career in supplemental insurance and retirement accounts for individuals and businesses both locally and across the state of Oklahoma. Those fortunate enough to call Gary friend came from every area and season of his life and Gary held on to those friendships for decades. He still kept in touch with friends from rounds of golf together, to working side by side at the Booterie or on Main Street, to former classmates, including a classmate he'd known since 2nd grade. Once of retirement age, he continued this work and also went back to his first love by helping a friend part time at the Shoe Gallery in OKC.
Gary left the workforce for good when he had his first stroke in 2016, and soon after made the move from Shawnee closer to family in Georgia. Once in Georgia he continued to charm and appreciate one and all with his sincere appreciation for who people were, from the staff of his residence to acknowledging and greeting people he saw in every day life, always with a kind compliment or encouragement, or simply taking notice of people (and their shoes). He spent the rest of his life making the most of his time, attention, and love for his family. His favorite time of all was spent being with his children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren, especially when all together. There is so much more we could share.
Gary was preceded in death by both of his parents and four of his siblings; Emmie Reichley, Don Smith, Kenneth Smith, and last year, Georgia Miller. He was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Amy Joy Smith (Greg). Gary leaves behind many to mourn his loss, including his children Greg J. Smith, Jeff E. Smith and Jean Lindsley Smith, and Andrea (Smith) and Chris Ediger; his grandchildren Brooke Smith and Aaron Hohle, Casey (Smith) and Bleck Roberts, Jake and Haily Smith, Josiah and Brianna Ediger, Micah Ediger, and Emerie Jayne Ediger; great-grandchildren Lily Grace Roberts, Isla Joy Smith, and August Hohle-Smith; sister Milda Laudenslager, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends, all of whom loved him dearly and well.
The family will hold a memorial service for Gary in Shawnee for those who would like to remember and celebrate his life with us at 11 a.m., Monday, April 7 at The Farmstead, 6820 Econtuchka Rd, Shawnee.
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