Gary J. Smoot

Gary Smoot moved on to his next adventure on October 21, 2025.
Born in Yakima to Dorothy (Gary) and Lloyd Smoot, June 7, 1930, Gary graduated from Yakima High School, and from there went on to YVC and the University of Washington where he received a degree in Civil Engineering. After a stint in the Navy, Gary attended Stanford University, where he received his master's degree. As pioneers in the field of controlled atmosphere cold storage, Gary's family business, Smoot Brothers' Construction, contributed greatly to the livelihood of the fruit industry and the economy of the Yakima Valley. Gary consulted on jobs throughout the country, and abroad, making several trips to Chile to help their farmers construct controlled atmosphere warehouses to extend the longevity of their crops.
Gary loved the Yakima Valley and its surrounding countryside. An avid skier, hiker, mountaineer, fisherman, golfer, tennis player, sports-car driver, and small-plane pilot, he and his wife Gini, were happiest when on adventures outdoors. They climbed all the major peaks in the state of Washington, and Gary made his second assent up Mt. Rainier with his son-in-law, Mark, when he was in his mid-sixties. Gary enjoyed visiting his daughter Kim and her husband Mark and granddaughters, Kaitlin, Alison, and Miranda, in Sun Valley, Idaho frequently where they skied, fished, golfed, and enjoyed the outdoors. He was thrilled to have the good fortune to meet his two great-granddaughters. Stories of their antics brought him so much joy.
As a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Gary was devoted to his family (unless it was a powder day). He loved telling stories about his childhood, his time in college, and his time in the Navy. Gary was a brilliant man, thoughtful, contemplative, and meticulous. He valued education, and learning, especially mathematics, and he worked hard to instill that value in his children and grandchildren. He loved a good conversation and always had an opinion to share.
Gary is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Virginia 'Gini' Smoot, his son, Gary Judson Smoot Jr., his brother Gale M. Smoot, and his parents Dorothy and Lloyd Smoot. He is survived by his daughter Kim Gasenica (Smoot), her husband Mark Gasenica and his brother Darryl Smoot, granddaughters Kaitlin (Ryan) Smith, Alison (Alex) Contreras, Miranda Gasenica and her fiancé Matt. Gary was also blessed with two adorable great-granddaughters, Evelyn and Avery Smith.
It is difficult to sum up 95 years of living in a few short paragraphs. Gary lived life to its fullest, cherishing every day. Living independently in the home he built and loved, until his final days, Gary always said "I never planned to live this long"! Well, we are all grateful that
he did. While we will miss Gary (grandpa) beyond words, we will remember him every time we look at a sunset, hear a report about climate change (a favorite topic), hike in the woods, take a bite of an apple, or attempt a Sudoku puzzle. Ninety-five years is a good run!
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 11:00 at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W. Prospect, Moxee, WA 98936). A Burial Service will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
The family is being cared for by Brookside Funeral Home. Memories and condolences can be shared on www.brooksidefuneral.com