- Date Of Birth: March 16, 1945
- Date Of Death: February 26, 2021
- State: Maryland
Lieutenant Commander Gary Lloyd Smith, born March 16, 1945 while his father was in Europe during WWII, sailor and navigator of life, passed Friday February 26, 2021. He is missed dearly and deeply by the love of his life and wife, Mary, as well by his proud family, friends, and community.
A lifelong, true-to-the-end, Green Bay Packers fan, Gary was born to Archibald and Evelyn (Krinke) Smith.
Immediately upon graduating with honors from Premontre High School, Gary joined the US Navy and deployed shortly after as a radar operator on the USS John King, a destroyer in the 6th Fleet. He attended Officers Candidate School, was selected to attend Purdue University and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He received an invitation to attend the Naval Post Graduate School to study electrical engineering and physics, which later led to his accomplishment as an Instructor at Annapolis Naval Academy. Retirement didn’t last long, as Gary joined the US Coast Guard Aux and volunteered with the Lusby Fire Department.
Gary was blessed to have been married to his best friend and love of his life, Mary Vaigneur. Theirs was a strong, passionate love with a mutual, deep friendship. By marrying, they brought together two families and made them one strong and loving family.
Gary comes from a long line of patriots and veterans and has passed that on to future generations. He is survived by: wife, Mary Ann Vaigneur Smith; siblings Neal (Diane), Jim (Sally), and Katie; children Kevin (Pam), Andy (Kim), and Matthew (Leigh Ayn); nieces Maria (Nate), Breckin (Josh), Jenae, and Kristin (Kirk); nephew Nick (Samantha); grandnieces and -nephews Brailyn, Lyndin, Kyler, Harper, and Atwood;grandchildren Ethan, Todd, Vaughn, Sophia, and Josh (; and best fishing buddy Mike (Tammy).
In addition, Gary is survived by Mary’s family who he loved as his own: children Wanda (Steve), Rebecca (James), and George (Courtney); grandchildren Andrea, Lauren, Kirsten, Meghan, Lindsey, Nathaniel, Gabrielle, Brett, and Hayden; great-grandchildren Ryan, Shayne, McKayla, Avery, Maddox, Millie, Lennon, Ryker, and Madilynn.
Gary was quiet, kind, humble, and dedicated to serving his country, family, and community. His heart was HUGE.
