Gary Smith

1954 - 2025

Gary Smith, formerly of Greensboro, passed away from injuries suffered in a biking accident in his adopted home of San Diego California.

Born and raised in Greensboro, Gary went to Smith High School and then to UNC-Greensboro where he received his degree in English. Passionate about the joys of teaching, he spent his career teaching students of all ages. This allowed him to create bonds with his students which spanned the decades.

He was an adventurer and traveler by nature, living many places before finally settling in San Diego. Long an admirer of Japanese culture, Gary moved to Japan in the 1980's to teach English. The Japanese experience was profound, and he would frequently and joyfully share tales of his experiences there.

A voracious reader who enjoyed learning and talking about ideas, Gary would often be reading several books simultaneously. This often led to spirited discussions. Fortunately, he had the skill of not taking anything personally which served him well throughout his life.

Gary loved music and had an encyclopedic memory of almost every band you could think of. He played his music only at two volumes: "off" and "eleven". He was a huge John Coltrane fan and a serious guitar player.

He was perhaps most known as a highly accomplished distance runner, having won many road races in and around North Carolina. During the time he lived in Greensboro he could be seen running the city streets early in the morning before school. Gary also enjoyed running marathons around the world.

Gary is survived by his partner Carole Fisher. A local remembrance of Gary's life will be held later in the fall in Greensboro.

If Gary were alive, he would have thanked his partner Carole for their time together, as well as his many friends for their participation in his life, especially Mack McClellan, Dr. Bert Fields, Mike Twomey and Mick Gallant.

Long may you run.