Ronald Gary Smith

91-year-old Ronald “Gary” Smith, loving Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, and friend, passed quietly through the veil to begin his next journey on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Gary successfully lived with and managed Parkinson’s disease for many, many, years until his body finally gave out.

What a full and adventuresome life he has lived! Gary was born on June 30, 1934 to Maria Frideborg Carlson and Ronald Knight Smith in Los Angeles, California. He spent a loving childhood in California where he graduated from George Washington High School. Even in his early years he was a talented athlete, loving sports and adventure.

Throughout his life, Gary had a passion for sports and excelled at many—skiing, tennis, basketball, scuba diving, golf, pickleball, and nearly every sport he attempted. He was even an impressive outdoor rollerblader during its heyday. An adventurer at heart, he also loved boating, camping, hiking, running, and, most of all, cycling. What a life of adventure he lived! He completed numerous Century Rides (100-mile bike rides) and often spoke about how much he enjoyed experiencing the world from the seat of his bike.

As an avid hiker, Gary embarked on some remarkable journeys, including the 200-mile John Muir Trail, Mount Whitney, Mount Kilimanjaro, and locally, Mount Timpanogos many times. He also held a deep affection for Lake Powell, returning there often to boat, camp, and soak in its stunning landscape. A true world traveler, Gary visited more than 70 countries over the course of his life.

Gary graduated from BYU with a Mechanical Engineering degree and completed his Master’s Degree in Business at Long Beach University. He married Leonora Stone and together they had three wonderful children. He and Leonora later divorced, but his children were always first in his heart and mind.

Gary met Sheryl Tingey at a dance and swept her off her feet. Sheryl and Gary were an amazing dance couple. They were married for 30 years, with Sheryl by his side on many adventures. They enjoyed traveling the world. They loved their time at the Wildwood cabin in Provo Canyon, their St. George home during the Utah winters, and their beautiful home in North Salt Lake. Just as she was with Gary on many adventures, Sheryl was by his side lovingly caring for him in his later years.

Gary was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in many callings through the years. He was an official volunteer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and enjoyed the Olympics to their fullest.

Gary was an accomplished private airplane pilot. He also became a glider pilot and enjoyed soaring. He was drawn to the intellectual challenge of reading the air currents and staying aloft with no engine and no fuel….just you. He honorably served in the United States Navy Reserve for 8 years and had a deep and abiding love for our country.

Gary’s career was in the Aerospace industry. He was employed by Boeing in Seattle and worked for TRW (later acquired by Northrup Grumman). His later engineering work centered around the Minuteman III ICBM navigation systems. Gary was a true “rocket-man” as he was part of the team that brought Apollo 13 safely back to earth after problems erupted in the 1970 mission attempt to land on the moon. Gary was a smart businessman and entrepreneur, and he embarked on many successful business ventures throughout his life.

Gary loved his entire family and was interested in their lives. He found satisfaction in spending time with them and Gary always said how proud he was of his children's and grandchildren’s accomplishments and the wonderful adults that they had become.

Gary is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sheryl; his sons, Gregory (Cindy) Smith, Rodney (Heike) Smith, and Jeffrey (Glenna) Smith; and his stepsons, Darren (Natalie) Brown and Trent (Amy) Brown. He is also survived by his siblings, Terry (Julie) Smith, Brett (Anna) Smith, and Ronna Marti. Between them, Gary and Sheryl were blessed with 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, whom they cherished deeply.

A Viewing will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 9:00-10:30 am at the LDS Church located at: 200 S Eagle Ridge Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at the LDS Church located at: 200 S Eagle Ridge Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054.

Interment following the funeral at: Bountiful City Cemetery: 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, UT 84010

Services will be available on zoom - https://zoom.us/j/98519102167?pwd=OVMyNWc0SFdhaW5CbWpNQVVvT0NXUT09 Webinar ID: 985 1910 2167 Passcode: Foxhill