Gerry Smith was born August 15, 1939 in Joplin, MO to Venetta and Claude Smith. He passed away February 21, 2014.
Gerry graduated in 1957 from Joplin High School where he met the love of his life, Judith Russell Smith. He joined the Air Force after graduation in August of 1957, serving in Korea and the United States. Gerry and Judy were married April 25, 1959 in Joplin. They were blessed with seven children. Throughout his career he worked for ITT Kellogg and Minnesota Central Telephone, managing 27 exchanges. He then joined Motorola, traveling the US and abroad installing cellular towers and teaching cellular classes and conducting lightning audits. He retired from Motorola in February of 1997 after 27 years of service. His second career was spent working with his wife, Judy, as owners of the local Jackson Hewett Tax Service offices, and recently became one of the new co-owners of Caldone’s Restaurant and Speakeasy.
Along with that, his seasonal career was spreading love and joy to children throughout the Christmas Season. Each year for 25 years Gerry blessed several thousand children with his jolly portrayal. Gerry was preceded in death by son Gregory Smith. His surviving family members are his wife, Judy, daughter Kristina Smith Hughes and husband Danny, Gerald Smith, Jr. and wife Ivana, Geoffrey, Gary and wife Melissa, Grant, Garret and daughter-in-law Mary. His much loved grandchildren were Zachary and Michael Hughes; Nathan, Noah and Matthew Smith, Nicolas, Dylan and Nash Smith; Gavin and Jordan Smith; Alyssa and Emily Smith; and Grayson Smith.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Danny Hughes will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. His children will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ronald McDonald House in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematroy.
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