Reginald Garcia Smith

Reginald Garcia Smith, a Phoenix native, loving father, husband, and avid outdoorsman, passed away quietly on April 15 in the presence of his
family. Reg, who was well-known and widely admired, was born on March 25, 1930, to Placida Garcia Smith and Reginald Gerard Smith. He graduated from St. Mary's High School and from the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Reg served for two years in the United States Navy after graduation, leaving the military as Lt. J G in 1954. He joined Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate in Los Angeles as a sign boy after his military service. He returned to the Valley in 1957 as one of the founding real estate agents of the Phoenix Coldwell Banker office, when Park Central Mall opened. He was a big supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, having spent many years as a scout and at summer camps. He served as a scoutmaster at Madison No. 1 elementary school during the 1960s and also was a Little League coach. Reg had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, hunter and wildlife conservation enthusiast who was involved with such organizations as Earthwatch, the Audubon Society, the Smithsonian Institute and various Arizona game and fish conservation projects. He was a volunteer participant on many of their expeditions. He was an adventurer who traveled extensively with Gwynn, his wife of 30 years, and Mexico always held a special place in his heart. Reg is survived by his wife, Gwynn; his children, Douglas Smith, Sharon Sullivan Mattern (Hal Mattern) and Leslie Smith; and grandchildren Chad, Henley and Emily. Donations in his name are being accepted by the Boy Scouts of America, 2969 N. Greenfield Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday April 21, 2:00pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, located at 4800 E. Indian School rd. in Phoenix.