Gordon Gaylord Smith's Obituary
With grateful thanks for his long and well-lived life, we announce the passing of Gordon Smith on December 27 at age 97. He will be missed, remembered and loved always by his son Michael (Mary) Smith and daughters Karyn Kaufman, Judy (Joe) Robinson, Stephanie (Carmine DeVivo), Jill (Roy) Finch; his grandsons Grant and Bryce Kaufman, Travis and Ryan Smith, Jeff Harper, Kyle and Tyler Finch and granddaughters Kelsey (Finch) McCullough , Megan (Thomas) Pashnik, Renee DeVivo; his long awaited treasured nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife Areta, brother Orville Smith and sister Gladys Bober. Gordon was a distinguished educator whospent most of his years in the Jackson area and was best known for his long association with Napoleon Schools, first as student, then teacher and coach, then principal and ultimately, superintendent. Prior to his retirement he was superintendent of the Jackson Intermediate School District where one of his proudest accomplishments was establishing the Jackson Area Career Center. A 1961 feature article in the Jackson Citizen Patriot described Gordon's WWII experiences as a major in the US Army Air Corps. Calling him a hero, the writer noted that ""tucked away at home are a presidential unit citation, the air medal and various service ribbons. But he doesn't talk about those. A person finds out only by prying."" Years later he did write about some of those experiences in a memoir for his grandchildren. Gordon spent many hours with the Napoleon Lions Club, the Napoleon Township Board, and the Napoleon United Methodist Church. In his post-retirement years he was an avid gardener and suppliedfamily members and Ackerson Lake neighbors with his abundant vegetable crops. In his later years as a resident of Ganton's Countryside Retirement Community, he continually sought ways to do for others. He serves as an example for us all. Services will be held at the funeral home Friday, January 2, 2015 at 11 am with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Roseland Memorial Gardens. Military Honors will be offered by the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team. Contributions in Gordon's memory are directed to; Jackson Habitat for Humanity 251 W Prospect, Jackson MI 49203 517 784-6620, The Orchards Children's Services 24901 Northwestern Highway Suite 500, Southfield, MI 48075 www.orchards.org or the Saline Schools Michael Smith Scholarship Fund.
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