Obituary of Gary Lee Smith

Gary Lee Smith of Indian Head, Maryland, died in Inova Fairfax Hospital on March 3, 2020,
after a short illness. He was born June 29, 1937 in International Falls, Minnesota, the third son of
Charles Thurston and Bonnie Ruth Smith (neé Harris). Gary was born into a family that moved
frequently—he grew up in Missouri, Southern California, New York City, Wyoming, and New
Mexico. He joined the Air Force at 17 and at 19, while stationed in England, he married Anona
Parker of the Lake District. After 10 years in the service, he reentered civilian life in the
burgeoning field of computer software. Anona was a skilled veterinarian’s assistant, with
expertise in the diseases and conditions affecting Akitas, their favorite breed of dog.
Over his lifetime, Gary enjoyed downhill skiing, bowling, fast cars, and weekly talks with his
eldest brother, a fellow Ham radio operator. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers
Sherry Leon and Almon Boyd Smith, and his dearly loved wife. His sister, Tamara Coombs, of
Albuquerque, New Mexico, was with him at his death. He is survived by many nieces and
nephews, including Tess Skipper, St Petersburg, Florida, Timothy and Alison Smith, Payson
Arizona, Daniel Smith, Kermit, Texas, Doni Hardy, Albuquerque, and Pamela Stevenson,
Florida. He is also survived by his loyal friends, Brian and Lynn Householder of Nanjemoy,
Maryland. Brian was 14 when he met Gary; they remained friends for 48 years. In addition, Gary
leaves behind Jasmin, his Akita companion. Gary’s ashes will be scattered near his father’s, on a
rise overlooking Valles Caldera in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico.