Gary E. Smith, age 69, of Kennewick, Washington, passed away on November 21, 2025. He was born on December 18, 1955, in Kennewick to James L. Smith and Viola E. E. Kressin.

In 1980, Gary married the love of his life, Josephine "Josie" Strong, and together they built a life filled with devotion, humor, and deep family ties. Gary worked as a custodian, maintenance worker, and property manager for both the Kennewick School District and Columbia Basin College, where he was known for his reliability, dedication, and friendly nature.

Gary had a wide range of interests that brought him joy throughout his life. He especially loved fishing, card games, music, and watching classic and comedy television shows. He was also an avid fan of anime, animated films, and video games. Gary enjoyed reading sci-fi books and rarely missed the opportunity to watch a good game—he appreciated sports of all kinds.

He is survived by his beloved wife Josie; sons Stacy and David; grandchildren Lili, Sofia, Arik, and Sebastian; great-granddaughter Maddie; sister Jean Wynea; brother Dave Smith; and numerous extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Ginny and Kay.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, Meals on Wheels, Make-A-Wish Foundation, or Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.