Gary Wayne Smith, 57, of Clay City, passed away from a farming accident Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 at his farm. Born Jan. 11, 1944 in Brazil, he was the son of Kenneth Wayne and Abbie "Jo" (Brothers) Smith.

He married Jennifer Lynn Ullery in 1976. He took up farming at his family farm near Clay City, Clay County, Indiana.

He graduated from Clay City High School, and graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor's degree in education. He then went on to receive a master's degree in education from Indiana State University. He began teaching science and physical education at Washington, and he later taught at Clay City High School, and was both girls and boys basketball coach. He retired from teaching in 1977 to farm full-time at his Hoosier Homestead Farm. He was both a grain and livestock farmer. He was a member of Masons F&AM Lodge 562; Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute; and New Hope Baptist Church. He was a past member of the Soil and Water Conservation Distric Board, and the Clay City Fair Board.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer Smith of Clay City; two daughters, Mandy Loftus and her husband Ryan of Jackson, Tenn., and Meaghan Smith, who currently is a senior attending Purdue University; one sister, Jessie Duncan of Twinsburg, Ohio; mother and father-in-law, James and Jean Ullery of Connersville; brother-in-law, Phillip Ullery; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. John Reichle of Connersville. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church with Pastor Lyle Pittman officiating. Burial will follow at Sink Cemetery.

______________

From the WHS 1970 & 1971 Yearbooks: Gary Smith; Physical Education, Assistant Football Coach, Assistant Basketball Coach

Indiana State University  B.S. & M.S.