Gary Thomas Smith

Gary Thomas Smith (88) of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

The youngest of four boys, Gary was born to Albert Hamman Smith and Florence Quick of Baltimore, MD. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute for high school, graduating in 1954. From Poly, he attended Johns Hopkins University for one year, where he joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity. The following year, he followed the footsteps of his brothers, Harold, and Kenneth, to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he graduated in 1959 from the 21st Company.

Gary joined the U.S. nuclear submarine program as a young Naval officer. His service during the Cold War took him and his growing family to New London, CT; Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Charleston, SC; the National War College in Washington, DC, and the Pentagon. He took his final sea tour as Commander of the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS John C. Calhoun based out of Charleston, SC.

Gary also received a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University while working at the Pentagon. After retirement from the Navy Gary worked for several government contractors in the Washington DC area.

Gary was a proud member of the DC Road Runners, completing at least a dozen marathons as well as innumerable 10Ks and half-marathons. With four daughters, Gary was an active supporter of women's sports as a coach, manager, and fan of softball, soccer, field hockey, basketball, swimming, diving, and track. Gary volunteered for many years helping underserved neighbors with their tax filings and as an English tutor for immigrants. He enjoyed spending time with his ten grandchildren, introducing many of them to his favorite sport, golf.

Gary was truly an officer and a gentleman, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, community member, patriot, and citizen of the world. He will be profoundly missed.

Gary is survived by his wife and his daughters, Maureen, Julie, and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Florence, brothers Albert Jr., Harold, and Kenneth, and his beloved daughter, Deborah.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at the church. He will receive a full military burial at Arlington National Cemetery on April 6, 2026, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Audobon Society or the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI).