Gary E. Smith, Jr.

Gary Eugene Smith, Jr., was born on March 27, 1974, and went home to Jesus on April 9, 2021.

He grew up in the Saydel area and attended Saydel Community School District. Gary was in the marching band where he played the tuba and sousaphone. He also played football when he attended Woodside.

Gary attended Calvary Apostolic Church. Reading his Bible and praying for everyone was a daily ritual for him.

Gary’s first job was at Pizza Hut where he was a proud pizza maker. He later worked at La Pizza House, then as a Sous chef at Ricelli’s restaurant, and later Video Warehouse until he became unable to work.

Gary loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed riding his bikes, Faith and Zoe, and was known to ride for hours delighting in God’s creations. Gary also enjoyed swimming, boating, fishing, skate boarding, cars and car shows. He was a delight to anyone that knew him and his kind-hearted ways; he loved everyone!

Those left to cherish his memories are his mother, Peggi Spors of Ankeny, IA; his brother, Ed (Debi) Beckler of Des Moines, IA; his sisters, Raine Ramsey of Austin, TX and Kathi Smith of West Des Moines, IA; and his ma, Lori Hawkins. He is also survived by his former step-dad, Heinz Spors of Des Moines, IA; former brother-in-law, Glenn Hill of MI; 2 nieces, Melanie Beckler of Des Moines, IA and Breya Quintana of West Des Moines, IA; his 5 nephews, Ryan Ramsey and Riley Richards of Austin, TX, Mason Beckler of Des Moines, IA, and Brandon and Brady Quintana of West Des Moines, IA; his aunts, Connie Walker of Ankeny, IA and Luci Blair of Des Moines, IA; and his cousin, James Walker of Ankeny, IA; and many loving friends.

Family members that preceded him in death were his sister, Melanie Beckler; his soul brother, Nick McClintic; his grandparents, Tom and Alvena Galvan; his uncles, Opal Holiday, Thomas Galvan and Stacy Galvan; great-grandmothers, Opal McKeever and Lavonne Walker; his grandpa, Doyle Smith; and his dad, Gary E. Smith, Sr.

Services will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. Gary will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery following the service.

The family requests masks be worn and social distancing will be encouraged.

Those planning on an expression of sympathy, please express your memorials to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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