Gerald Smith

    Gerald Victor Smith was born July 18, 1928, east of Holyoke, the fifth child of Vernon and Leona (Daniels) Smith. He died Aug. 12, 2018, at Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke. He was 90 years and 25 days of age at the time of his death.
    Gerald was raised and educated in Holyoke. He served in the U.S. Navy from Nov. 15, 1948, until Oct. 17, 1952. He married Faye Martin on Nov. 15, 1952. To this union, two daughters were born: Debra and Verna. Later he married Carolyne “Betty” Martin in 1962, and to this union, two children were born: Susan and John.
    Gerald worked on a farm for Glenn Bradford before going into the Navy. After he got out of the Navy, he worked in the lumber yard business in Holyoke, Haxtun, Greeley and Kansas City, Missouri.
    Gerald loved to go fishing, played horseshoes and enjoyed bowling, accumulating several trophies. He was a member of the American Legion.
    Approximately 35 years later, he and his wife moved to Haigler, Nebraska, for two years, then to Holyoke until the time of his death.
    Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyne “Betty”; parents, Vernon and Leona; firstborn sister, Katherine Darlene; sisters, Lois and husband Bobbie Lakey and Elizabeth and husband Gerald Myer; brothers, Sidney, Stanton and wife Dorothy, and Wendell and wife Ramona Smith; two brothers-in-law, John Jr. and James Martin; and three sisters-in-law, Lucille Bailey, Dorothy Martin and Faye Gray.
    Gerald is survived by his daughters, Debra and husband Rusty Tidwell of Alabama, Verna and husband John MacQueen of Alabama, and Susan and husband Steven Walker of Independence, Missouri; son, John W. Smith of Holyoke; two sisters, Nancy and husband Walter Bradford of Wray and Patricia and husband Leonard Warren of Holyoke; one brother, Robert and wife Sharon Smith of Sterling; three brothers-in-law, Jack and wife Marie Martin, Ruel Martin and Calvin Martin of Alabama; three sisters-in-law, Bobbie Shifflet, Eva May Nix of Alabama and Bonnie Smith of Holyoke; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
    Cremation was requested, and no services were held.
    A family inurnment will be held at a later date in the Haigler Cemetery.
    Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray is in charge of arrangements.