Gary Dee Smith, 81, died May 11, 2021, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. He was born September 20, 1939, in Vesper, Kansas, the son of Robert and Goldie (Clark) Smith. Gary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957 and later served in the United States Navy.
On March 6, 1965, he married Janice Marie Cates in Great Bend. She survives.
A longtime Barton County resident, Gary was a retired police officer. He first worked in Lincoln, Kansas, and later Salina, Kansas, before taking a position in Great Bend in which he retired as a Detective Lieutenant. He also worked at Guthrie Trailer Sales for 29 years and then 9 years in loss prevention for Wal-Mart, finally retiring at the age of 75. Gary was also a part of the Barton County Sheriff’s Reserves and was a member of the Encounter Church, formerly known as First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Smith of the home; three sons, Gary “Bubba” Smith and wife DeAnn of Hoisington, Michael Smith and wife Jo of Great Bend, and Chris Smith and wife Stephanie of St. John; two brothers, Ronnie Smith of Ozark, Missouri, and Robert Smith of Lincoln, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, Presley, Delaney, and Addison Smith, Hallie Smith, Elizabeth Friess, Andrea Falk, Dakota, Alyson, Hunter and Ava Smith; four great grandchildren, Rylie, Zayne and Laney Friess, and Molly Falk; and his beloved dog, Yogi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Ricky Smith; brother, Larry Smith; and sisters, Carolyn Smith, JoAnn Michels, and Patty Kissick.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Graveside Inurnment Services with military honors will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at Hoisington Cemetery, with Pastor Dwight D. Dozier presiding.
Memorials may be made to Encounter Church or Golden Belt Humane Society in care of in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.