Date of Birth:
Monday, January 13, 1947
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Age:
78 years old

Gary R. Smith

Gary Robert Smith, 78, of Kasson, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary was born on January 13, 1947, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Philip and Gladys (Friedrich) Smith. He attended Rochester Public Schools and later finished his education at Winona State University. He married Carol Seever at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minnesota. They were happily married for 56 years.

Gary worked for many years in the automotive industry, where he managed and provided customer service in sales, building lasting relationships through his dedication and friendly nature. Outside of work, he enjoyed camping, fishing, and woodworking, and was a devoted classic car enthusiast who took great pride in his 1962 Corvette and 1966 Chevelle. Above all, Gary was a loving father and grandfather who cherished time spent with his family, especially gathering together to watch and cheer on the Minnesota Vikings.

He is survived by his first and second wife, Carol; sons, Jamie and Jason (Yvonne) Smith; grandchildren, Julia (Lance) Mortland, Alec (Ally) Smith, Erika Smith, Keyan (Carlee) Andrew, Gracie (Alex) Dahl; and first great-grandson, Lincoln Robert Smith. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Gladys Smith, and siblings Janet Fricke and Marie Ellingson.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, Minnesota, with a funeral service to follow, officiated by Pastor Judy Thompson-Reitz.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mayo Clinic Hospice in honor of Gary’s life.