Gerald L. Smith, 76

Mr. Gerald Lamar Smith, 76, of Hagerstown, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at his residence.   

He was the husband of Geraldine Sue Orrison Smith for more than 53 years.

Gerald was born April 9, 1935, in Brunswick, Md., and he was the son of the late Kenneth E. and Stella C. Smith.

Gerald graduated from Frederick High School, Class of 1953, and joined the U.S. Army in 1954, where he served for more than 22 years until his retirement in 1976. While serving in the Army, he became an electronic warfare systems technician, married his loving wife, Sue, and was promoted to chief warrant officer (CW3). Gerald served three unaccompanied tours: Alaska, Vietnam and Turkey; and five accompanied tours: Fort Belvoir, Va., Fort Devens, Mass., Herzo Base, Germany, Hakata, Japan, and Vint Hill Farms Station in Warrenton, Va. He received the Bronze Star for exemplary service in Vietnam, and the second oak leaf cluster to the Army Commendation Medal for service in Japan. Upon retirement from the Army, Gerald worked for government contractors, developing maintenance concepts and troubleshooting procedures for newly designed electronic warfare intelligence equipment.  

Gerald grew up a Lutheran, serving as Sunday school superintendent and on various committees within the leadership roles of the Lutheran Church.  

He loved baseball, traveling by train, attending Frederick Keys games and watching baseball on TV.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Gina Sue Denney and husband, Ben, of Fairfax, Va.; sons Gerald Franklin Smith of Roanoke, Va., and Garry Smith and wife, Karyn, of Locus Grove, Va.; grandchildren Troy Thomas, Corey Thomas and Hayley Thomas; brother-in-law Stanley Orrison of Lago Vista, Texas; two nephews and five great-nephews, all near Austin, Texas.

In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by his stepfather, Howard Thompson.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 N. Main St., Smithsburg. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at the church. The Rev. Virgil Cain will officiate, and the Rev. Richard Hembrock will assist. Inurnment will be at 3 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 S. Market St., Frederick, Md.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 N. Main St., Smithsburg, MD 21783, or to the Salvation Army, 534 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.