Gerald Eugene Smithy

Mr. Gerald Eugene Smithy, 86, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at HCA N Florida Hospital in Gainesville after a sudden illness.

A native of Starke, Florida, he was the son of the late William C. Jr. and Mary Hatch Smithy and had been a resident of Lake City off and on over the past 80 years. He retired from the U.S. Air Force and relocated his family to San Diego where he worked for another 23 years with the US Navy as a Production Controller. His entire professional life was focused on Aviation and there wasn’t a plane in the sky that he couldn’t immediately identify and name by sight.

Always active, he was a dedicated 3x a week golfer who loved all sports and faithfully supported the Gators, Chargers and Padres. He was also a big NASCAR fan and the late Dale Earnhardt #3 was his favorite. But, nothing was more important than his family.

Mr. Smithy was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Juanita Smithy, daughter, Susan “Suzie” Lynne Smithy, son, Stephen Smithy, brothers, Joel Wayne Smithy, Lawrence Glenn Smithy.

Mr. Smithy is survived by his daughters, Donna Elaine Smithy, Pamela Michelle (Shelly) Gorman, grandsons, Jeffrey Sanford Willis II, Kyle David Judd, Brett Matthew Judd; Sister, Gloria Ramona Crews.

Graveside Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeneration research at www.brightfocus.org.