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BORN
1940
DIED
2019
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Gary Smith Obituary
Gary Lee Smith, 78, of Columbus, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Gary was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 9, 1940 to the late William and Emaline Smith. He retired from his position of software architect at OCLC, Inc. after serving libraries everywhere for 35 years. Gary was a man of fierce loyalties, unyielding ethics, wicked sarcasm, and impeccable grammar. He loved birds, reading, and complaining about poor editing. His handwriting was beautiful. Preceded in death by his father William R. Smith and mother Emaline (Miller) Smith, he is survived by his children, Lisa (Smith) Adams, Gene Daniel Smith, and Rachel H. Smith; ex-wife and best friend, Leah Rose Abrams; brother, Kenneth Smith; and grandchildren, Evan W. Enloe, Eleora Adams, and Prudence and Lucy Lipkin; along with great-grandchildren, Ronin, Vivian, and Jade Enloe. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215, from 4-6 p.m. A light supper will be served. Memorial donations in Gary's name can be made to Nationwide Children's Hospital (www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving) and the Columbus Audubon Society Eco-Weekend Program (www.columbusaudubon.org/act-now/donate/). Neptune Society, 614-529-5088.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gary Smith
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Rachel Smith
August 6, 2019
He will live in our hearts forever.
Ellen Caplan
May 31, 2019
To the Smith family,
I was so sorry to hear about Gary's sudden passing. My condolences go out to all of you. I worked with Gary for many years and it was an honor. Although the memorial was a sad time, I was glad to be able to pay my respects, and to chat with several former OCLC colleagues about Gary.
Gary will always be in my thoughts. Again, my sincere condolences.
Gene Daniel Smith
May 26, 2019
You will allways live on in my heart. I will miss you. From your loving son.
Ray Smith
May 26, 2019
Leah, Lisa, and family, our part of the Smith family was saddened to learn of Gary's sudden passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time! May memories of Gary carry his legacy forward through his family!! Ray Smith (Gary's 1st cousin)
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Lisa Smith Adams
May 25, 2019
May his memory be an eternal blessing. I love you and miss you dad.
Donna Lundy
May 24, 2019
Dear Rachel and Leah, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Gary. He was part of our "Dixie" family and will be missed.
Larry and Donna Lundy
Jeff May
May 24, 2019
I always admired Gary's skill and knowledge as an Assembler programmer and I always strived to be as good and knowledgeable at it as he was. I loved his sarcasm -- sometimes that was the best part of some less-than-interesting meetings.
Jeff May
gail thornburg
May 22, 2019
It was a privilege to work with Gary for a good 20 years as fellow developers at oclc,
What an inimitable presence he was there , and what an influence on the organization
Gail Thornburg
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CLOSED-Neptune Society - Columbus4558 Cemetery Road, Hilliard, OH 43026
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Columbus, OH
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