Galen Johannes Smith

Galen Johannes Smith departed this life on Friday, December 8, 2023, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. His family and friends will remember him as a kind, thoughtful and charitable man, who quietly devoted himself to the service of others. Galen was born on August 2, 1945 in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was predeceased by his parents, Galen Clark Smith and Lugenia Harp Horine Smith. He is survived by his sister Julia Frances Carlson, and her husband, Donald, of Derwood and Wolfsville, Maryland, and nephews, Eric Clark Carlson, and his wife Laura of Houston, Texas and Scott Randall Carlson of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Galen was a graduate of Frederick High School, Class of 1963 and The Johns Hopkins University, Class of 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He spent his entire professional career working in Information Technology at The Johns Hopkins University, retiring in 2012. His expertise was in mainframe application software in support of Student and Administrative Services. He wrote and maintained computer programs for class registration, dormitory assignments, student financial aid and other basic University functions. In 1985 Galen along with a few friends started a housing program for homeless mentally ill men, that later expanded to include women, which became At Jacob's Well, Inc. in Baltimore. Upon its 1986 Incorporation, Galen joined its Board and served as treasurer for more than 25 years. He regularly attended their community dinners and non-denominational church services and enjoyed socializing with the residents who all knew him. Private services and burial will be at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Myersville, Maryland. Memorial gifts may be made in Galen's honor to At Jacob's Well, 323 East 25th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, Atjacobswell.org/donations/ or to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 299, Myersville, Maryland 21773. Please sign family guest book at: www.DeVolFuneralhome.com