Gary"Smitty" Lynn Smith

He was born September 13, 1948 in Paxton to James and Effie Lee (Emert) Smith and was the fourth of six children. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Rebecca Ruth (Smith) Albert and Elaine Marie (Smith) Albert.

Surviving are four sons, Kelly Smith and Stanley Smith, both of Texas, who were born to his first wife, Truong Thi Hai Smith and Jay McDaniels and Darin McDaniels, who were born to Carolyn Sue Caulkins Smith; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Lawrence Smith of Arizona and Ronald Smith of Havana; one sister, Elizabeth Ann (Smith) McLaughlin of Paxton and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was a 1966 graduate of Mason City High School and attended Canton Community College from 1966 to 1968, where he graduated with high honors in Dipsomania.

In 1969, Gary enlisted in the United States Army attending basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following basic training, he was in Advanced Individual Training in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey where he studied Fixed Station Communications.

On September 1, 1969 he arrived in Long Binh, Vietnam transit base for what would be a four year stay in RVN. His military honors included Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Signal Award (for training ARVN’s) and the Army Commendation Medal.

Gary achieved the rank of Specialist 5 (E-5) and later NCOIC (noncommissioned officer in charge). Just prior to leaving the Army in late August 1971, he was on a “On Sie Contract Evaluator” for six months, aiding the American civilian contractors in making the transition to fully civilian communication sites. In one month he would return to those sites to work as a civilian and quickly be promoted from “senior technical controller” to “Site Supervisor”. During Gary’s stay in Vietnam, he met his first wife, Truong Thi Hai and their first son, Kelly was born in December of 1970 in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Upon returning to the United States in late August of 1973, he and his young family resided in Mason City. In November 1974, Gary went to work at Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria and later at the Tire Facility in Peoria. In December 1977, his son Stanley was born in Lincoln. Life should’ve been nothing but wonderful with a young family, great job and their own house. However, alcoholism had a stranglehold on Gary and he was nearly down for the count. In February of 1982 he sought help at Proctor Hospital Chemical dependency Center in Peoria and after much effort and a great deal of help from his fellow recovering people and a power greater than himself, Gary was able to enjoy well over 40 years of contented sobriety.

In October 1992, Gary met and started dating Carolyn Sue (Caulkins) McDaniels. In October 1997, they were joined in marriage. In 1997, Gary started a career in the Insurance field with Combined Insurance Company of America and enjoyed a very rewarding 12-year career, retiring in 2011. Highlights were his three trips to Las Vegas and Cancun. He was awarded six times with the highest individual award in the company for sales, the Grand Diamond Award.

He attributes the love and support of Carolyn for attaining those awards.

Gary and his wife, Carolyn and their two dogs enjoyed the past few years in retirement in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Randy Rutledge will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Hill-Palmer American Legion Post 561. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Forest City.

Memorial contributions may be given to Pekin Celestial AA, 1208 Maple Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com