Gary Edward Smith

1950 - 2022

Gary Edward Smith, a 36-year resident of Naperville, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 16, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born July 3, 1950, Kittery, Maine, to Sam Edward Smith and Elaine Friedman Smith. He is survived by his wife Judith Brodhead and children Matthew Patrick Brodhead Smith (Cora Neil) of Los Angeles, CA; Sarah Kristin Brodhead Smith (Paco Velez) of Tucson, AZ and Mexico City, and Garrett Edward Brodhead Smith (Dee Campbell) of Seattle, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Gary attended St. Louis High School in Honolulu, then boarded at and graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1968 by Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, graduating in 1972 with a degree in systems management and competing for four years on the varsity swim team. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, he was assigned to the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp LeJeune, N.C., followed by 13 (unaccompanied) months in Okinawa with the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. During Operation Frequent Wind in April 1975, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Mobile during the evacuation of Vietnam. His last Marine Corps assignment was at Camp Pendleton, CA, with the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. After leaving the Marine Corps he enjoyed a career of more than 35 years in transportation and logistics, including working for Mobil Oil Corporation in New York City and Falls Church, VA; Container Corporation in Carol Stream, IL; Gaylord Container Corporation in Deerfield, IL, and Minnesota Corn Processors in Marshall, MN, before retiring. At the time of his death Gary and Judy had been married for 49 years. They met after the 1969 Rutgers-Navy game when midshipmen who had traveled to march on during halftime were invited to eat dinner at the Neilson Dining Hall at Douglass College, the women's college of Rutgers University, and by chance were seated next to one another. They began dating and married between semesters of Judy's senior year in December 1972. The Marine Corps and corporate life sent them to North Carolina, California, Virginia, New Jersey and Illinois. Gary managed all four of Judy's successful City Council campaigns. Those who follow Naperville government will remember him as attending scores of meetings of all types, sitting toward the back of City Council chambers. He was Judy's biggest cheerleader and fiercest champion. He was honored in November 2021 by the Rotary Club of Naperville when he was awarded a Quilt of Valor. Memorial visitation: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Saturday, April 23rd, at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540 with a Memorial ceremony to follow at 12:00 Noon at the funeral home. The family asks that you respect their wishes to wear masks during the event. Memorial gifts may be directed to Loaves and Fishes or Hesed House. Gary would ask you to honor him by remembering to vote in all upcoming elections. This fall Gary's ashes will be interred on October 28 at the Columbarium at the United States Naval Academy, a date that falls during the USNA Class of 1972's 50th Reunion. For More information, please call 630-355-0213 or www.friedrich-jones.com