Garland M. “Smitty” Smith
July 24th, 1932 - September 1st, 2024
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Smitty's Obituary
Garland M. Smith “Smitty”, 92, of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at his home.
The family will receive guests from 10am until the time of celebration of life at 12pm, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, Pastor Boyd Saylor officiating. Burial with military honors to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Smitty’s name may be directed to Dowagiac Moose Lodge #993. Please visit Smitty's personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to his family at www.clarkch.com.
Garland was born July 24, 1932, in Hoxie, AR to Lewis David Smith and Rosa (McCord) Potts. He proudly served four years in the Navy from 1952-1956. He soon married Geraldine Wilson on December 23, 1956, in Hernando, MS. In the late 1950s, Garland started a life-long career with the Harding’s Supermarket family. He helped develop stores over his years, serving as a passionate and meaningful mentor to many. Garland was actively involved in numerous groups in the Dowagiac area, including Am-Vets, the VFW, Moose Lodge and Eagles Club. In his spare time, especially in retirement, you could find Garland outdoors, doing what he loved the most, gardening, traveling, hunting and fishing with family and friends.
Garland will be missed by his children, Rodger (Deborah) Smith, and Donna (Steven) Bourne; his grandchildren, Ashely (Richard) Kirkpatrick, Matthew Smith, Brittany Bourne, and Marissa Bourne; his great grandchild, Logan Kirkpatrick; and his siblings, Virginia Bonner, Easter (Gene) Rosenblum, and Darrell (Frances) Smith.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Smith; his siblings, Phineas Smith, Otto Smith, Mary Graham, Martha McCafferty, Raymond Smith, Jerry Smith, Cecil Smith, Emaline (Lawrence) Ashlock, and Noble (Eunice) Smith.
The family will receive guests from 10am until the time of celebration of life at 12pm, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, Pastor Boyd Saylor officiating. Burial with military honors to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Smitty’s name may be directed to Dowagiac Moose Lodge #993. Please visit Smitty's personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to his family at www.clarkch.com.
Garland was born July 24, 1932, in Hoxie, AR to Lewis David Smith and Rosa (McCord) Potts. He proudly served four years in the Navy from 1952-1956. He soon married Geraldine Wilson on December 23, 1956, in Hernando, MS. In the late 1950s, Garland started a life-long career with the Harding’s Supermarket family. He helped develop stores over his years, serving as a passionate and meaningful mentor to many. Garland was actively involved in numerous groups in the Dowagiac area, including Am-Vets, the VFW, Moose Lodge and Eagles Club. In his spare time, especially in retirement, you could find Garland outdoors, doing what he loved the most, gardening, traveling, hunting and fishing with family and friends.
Garland will be missed by his children, Rodger (Deborah) Smith, and Donna (Steven) Bourne; his grandchildren, Ashely (Richard) Kirkpatrick, Matthew Smith, Brittany Bourne, and Marissa Bourne; his great grandchild, Logan Kirkpatrick; and his siblings, Virginia Bonner, Easter (Gene) Rosenblum, and Darrell (Frances) Smith.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Smith; his siblings, Phineas Smith, Otto Smith, Mary Graham, Martha McCafferty, Raymond Smith, Jerry Smith, Cecil Smith, Emaline (Lawrence) Ashlock, and Noble (Eunice) Smith.
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