Garry Warren Smith

Garry Smith Obituary

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, brother and friend, GARRY WARREN SMITH, 50, of Las Cruces Friday, October 10, 2008 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on May 20, 1958 to Henry and Juanita Briggs Smith. Garry was employed at Sam's Club as a forklift operator. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Rosa Soto Smith of El Paso, Texas; three sons, Gary and Henry Smith both of Las Cruces, Jason Smith of Alamogordo; his mother, Juanita Smith; four brothers, Ralph, Roland and Henry Smith all also of Las Cruces, Aaron Smith of Canada; a sister, Linda Smith of Las Cruces. Other survivors include four grandchildren, Talaxe, Noah, Zion and Syncere Smith. He was preceded in death by his father.
At Mr. Smith's request cremation will take place and a Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, October 17, 2008 at 10 AM in Baca's Chapel of Prayer, 300 E. Boutz Road. Inurnment of cremains will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue.
Entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels. 527-2222

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Las Cruces Sun-News on Oct. 15, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Garry Smith

8 Entries

Emily Boles and Allison Hecker

October 23, 2008

We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Lawrence & Nancy

October 20, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family

Chris Pacheco

October 18, 2008

There is nothing I can say about a great Father, Brother, Grandfather, Uncle, and friend that will bring forth what this man has done. I will miss him dearly and all my prayers and sympathy go out to the family.

Bernie Apodaca

October 17, 2008

10-17-08

In loving memory of Gary Smith, our brother in Christ Jesus.

Gary was and always will be a special friend to my family and me. He was solid as a son to his parents and a friend you could count on. He was one of the most respectful people I have ever met. God blessed Gary with wisdom and peace. He was a listener and a thinker, not easily provoked.

In high school, Gary was a crack up always making jokes and talking intelligent smack. He was smooth as can be when talking to the girls and the way he dressed. Gary was strong too, benching around 300 pounds. He loved the NFL and other sports. He knew his stats and was loyal even in losing seasons.

He had a passion for printing presses. He could make an obsolete machine function with missing parts. We had a blast publishing my character at the local mall…… a failed attempt, but what an effort.

Gary had a diversified group of friends ranging from student council and Key Club members to cheerleaders and athletes. I never knew anyone who didn’t like him. We had our click, mostly doing volunteer stuff for the student council projects, but it was fun always. Gary attended many special camps where we had to earn the privilege through many volunteer hours.

He won the XROK 80 RADIO Low Rider Car giveaway. It was almost shameful cause the El Paso radio station wanted to get Las Cruces high schools over with… so Mayfield was the first school they hit to kick off their campaign… Gary won it on day one! With the sixth key selected, ha ha….. What a joke and a blast. For El Paso and the radio station… it’s what they got for talking smack about Cruces Schools. It happened on live radio!

Of course the legendary SPINNER AND THE HUB CAPS will live forever! And SPINNER (Gary) won the hearts of the entire school at the Talent Show when they cheered him on to sing an additional two songs, blowing away the vice principle’s mind, as we went way over the allowed schedule time. Getting yelled at was so worth it that day.

Gary’s and his dad, Smitty, were always doing auto mechanics on their cars or teaching my brother (Rick) and me to work on our own cars. All the serious auto mechanics I ever learned was from those two. I learned how to pull an engine, overhaul small blocks, rebuild rear ends, u-joints, and adjust carburetors, and much more. They made it fun to learn and to get our hands dirty.

During high school Gary was always at my house. My family thought of him as my brother. We had a bunch of friends who were joined at the hip. Cruising and partying was all we wanted to do. They were good and safe times. I miss those years.

Gary loved his sons and wife dearly during the years we were neighbors. Time gave him grandchildren… a gift most of us have not been blessed with yet. I admire Gary, as I believe he was a walking miracle from God. He took excellent care of his health and was educated in every aspect of his dialysis condition. None of that prevented him from living a good and normal life. He and I dreamed of many ventures we could attempt using what skills we had. He spent countless hours helping me or keeping me company while my work took me into late hours constantly.

We talked sports, politics, music, and Jesus… Thank God for His Son Jesus. It is our faith that gives me great pleasure to tell you that I know Gary is in Heaven and now has a new body. He is in a better place. I thank Jesus for His Grace, undeserving favor! Yet by accepting Him as our Savior, Jesus alone counts us Righteous and qualifies us to be saved. Knowing that, I know Gary is well and jumping for joy! Knowing that, I know we will meet him once again and celebrate true success!

It gives me great pleasure to count Gary as a brother and as family.

My heart goes out to Rosa, Little Gary, Jason and Hanky… Hang in there! but be obedient to God as was your father. He set a standard to show us all that we must be strong and stand by God’s promises. To his grandchildren, always honor your grandfather by first honoring God, count on Jesus, and be winners at all you do.

To his Mom, Juanita, Your strength and your loving heart nurtured your kids and their friends more than you’ll ever know. To His brothers and sister, including Julie… How blessed you were to have each other, grow closer and stronger.

And to God, I ask that you show special favor to this family and pour your blessings over his kids and their kids.

Thank you Gary for the memories. You have set a good example for those who knew you. Your strength, peace and faith is your legacy. We will miss you, but we will join you in our time.

Respectfully,
Bernie Apodaca

Lorraine Ferrales

October 15, 2008

Christine,
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Gary was a great person and loved you very much Christine.
May God Bless you and your family in your time of grief.

Martin Arrey

October 15, 2008

Our hearts and prayers go out to Gary's family at this time of great sorrow.

Charles Briggs

October 15, 2008

I was sorry to hear of the loss of Garry. He will always live in the hearts of all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. "God bless the family"
Charles B.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results