Gerald H. Smith

Gerald Smith was born December 4, 1947, in Shannon County, Missouri, to T.L. and Joy (Dooley) Smith. Gerald was raised in Salem and attended Salem High School. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Gerald was a Purple Heart recipient, a distinction he carried with quiet pride. While attending school, Gerald met the love of his life, Sue Ann Coffman. The two were married on January 15, 1972, in Salem, Missouri, and shared more than fifty-four years together. They were blessed with three children, and family was always at the center of Gerald's life. His grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his world and his greatest source of pride and joy. Gerald was a hardworking man who enjoyed working with his hands. For a time, he worked as a mechanic for General Motors in St. Louis before returning home to Salem. In the early 1980s, he opened his own business, Smith Auto Repair, where he served the community. He did this in various locations until fully retiring in 2008. Even after selling the garage, Gerald never really stopped working. His knowledge, skill, and reputation followed him, and people continued to seek him out wherever he went. Gerald enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He loved spending time fishing at Montauk and hunting on the family farm. One of his special passions was drag racing, he proudly owned a 1955 Chevy race car that he would take to the track in West Plains. Gerald was a devoted family man and dependable friend. Above all, his faith in the Lord was important to him. He was baptized at New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed the times of fellowship there and it was a place where his faith grew and developed. Gerald passed away August 12, 2026, in Salem, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years. He is survived by his wife: Sue Smith of Salem, MO; son: John Smith of Dickson, TN; daughters: Julie Loughridge and husband Lucas of Rolla, MO and Lisa Blackwell and husband Duane of Salem, MO; brother: Ronnie Smith and wife Claudine of Cuba, MO; sister: Carol Pruett of Cape Coral, FL; brothers-in-law: Ronnie Coffman and wife Debbie and Lynn Coffman and wife Elisa; grandchildren: Brady Adams and wife Micah, Ben Adams and wife Mikaela, Brooke Sanders and husband Dalton, Lucas Blackwell and wife Destini, Bella Smith, Chloe Loughridge, Collin Loughridge, and Elijah Loughridge; great-grandchildren: Remmie, Cade, Stetson, Finley, Hudson, Hadley, and Harper; as well as numerous very special nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents: T.L. and Joy (Dooley) Smith; brothers: Conrad and Bill Smith; sister: Sue Beck; and his brothers-in-law: John, Ralph, Leo, Wayne, and Larry Coffman. Gerald leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, faith, and family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his memory will live on in the family he cherished so dearly and in the many lives he touched throughout his years. Services were held Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Condolences may be left online at www.wilsonmortuary.com

Gerald H. Smith

December 4, 1947 - August 12, 2026