Gerald F. Smith

Gerald "Jerry" Floyd Smith Jr.

October 29, 1948 – August 14, 2025

Gerald "Jerry" Floyd Smith Jr., of Waterford, Michigan, left this world on August 14, 2025, at the age of 76. Born October 29, 1948, to Gerald Floyd and Francis Smith in Roseville, Michigan, Jerry lived a life as bold and unapologetic as he was.

In his youth, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, serving alongside friends-some of whom never made it home. That experience shaped him, giving him both a deep sense of loyalty and an unshakable honesty that he carried his whole life.

Jerry was a devoted father to his two children, Ryan and Jillian (Michael Dempsey-Klott), and was over the moon when Ryan made him a grandfather to his one and only granddaughter, Hailee (Grant) Perrin. His kids and granddaughter were his pride and joy, and he never missed a chance to tell people about them.

Life took Jerry down many roads-some on two wheels. He loved riding his Harley and spent some years with the Forbidden Wheels Motorcycle Club. Off the road, his happy place was Elizabeth Lake, where he could be found for hours on his pontoon, often snorkeling alone, lost in his own world. He was never too far from one of his many collected cozies to keep his beer cold, often producing one from his pocket at any given moment. His ultimate dream? To win the lottery (which he played daily), buy a yacht, and sail the world.

In 2015, Jerry bought a winter home in Florida, in the same neighborhood where his parents once lived. He loved hanging at Scooter's Bar, where he made countless friends. He loved the sun, the heat and the palm trees. To him, it was his own slice of paradise.

He worked hard, played harder, and collected an army of friends along the way, many dating back to childhood. In 2016, Jerry met Lisa Taylor, the love of his life, and together they spent the last nine years dancing, laughing, and loving.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Fran Smith, and his brother Daniel (Cheryl) Smith. He is survived by his children, his brother James Smith (late Sandra), cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jerry's legacy is one of fierce honesty, deep loyalty, and living life without apology. Whether on his bike, his boat, or surrounded by friends, he made sure life was never boring.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Chapel, Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home, 5630 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Military Honors will take place on Friday at 3:30 p.m.