Galen Smith

1945 - 2023

Galen Johannes Smith departed this life on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Wilson Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He will be missed by his family and friends who 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, as well as his cherished aunt, Klora Estella Smith. He is survived by his sister, Julia Frances Carlson, and her husband, Donald, of Derwood and Wolfsville, Maryland. He is also survived by his nephews, Eric Clark Carlson and wife, Laura, of Houston, Texas and Scott Randall Carlson, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He took great pride in the lives of his nephews. He spent his early childhood in Myersville and Braddock Heights. His family then moved to Frederick, where he attended public schools. 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 43-year professional career working in Information Technology at The Johns Hopkins University, retiring in 2012. His special expertise was in the area of mainframe application software in support of Student and Administrative Services. He wrote and maintained computer programs for class registration, dormitory room assignments, student financial aid and other basic University functions. He was active in the Baltimore community in many civic and charitable organizations. In 1985, Galen along with 4 friends, started a housing program for homeless mentally ill men, later expanded to include women. This became At Jacob's Well, Inc., in Baltimore City. AJW provides transitional and permanent housing for those who are homeless and mentally ill. Upon its 1986 incorporation, Galen joined its Board and became its treasurer, serving in that role for more than 25 years. He regularly attended their community dinners, their non-denominational church services and enjoyed socializing with the residents, who all knew him. Galen was one of the first members of the Metropolitan Community Church in Baltimore. It became a central part of his religious life, which he took very seriously. He was a lover of music and a collector of books and records. He was a lifelong Star Trek and pop culture fan and loved concerts, dancing and Halloween. He was an avid card and backgammon player and was a Life Master in Bridge, which he continued to enjoy throughout his retirement, when he resided at Mays Chapel in Timonium. He endured a debilitating occurrence of familial amyloidosis that resulted in a liver transplant in 2009, that stopped the disease's spread, but which did not reverse damage already done. He and his family are extremely grateful for the wonderful care which he received from the University of Maryland Hospital and especially its Department of Hepatology for the remainder of his life. Burial will be in the family plot at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery in Myersville, Maryland. Private burial services will be held for the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Galen's memory to At Jacob's Well, 323 East 25th Street, Baltimore,Maryland 21218 - atjacobswell.org/donations/ or to his family church, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 299, Myersville, Maryland 21773. Please sign family guestbook at www.DeVolfuneralhome.com Galen Smith