Gary Ray Smith

Gary Ray Smith, 67, of Odem, TX, passed away at his home on April 15th, 2022 with his wife and children by his side. Born on August 17, 1954 in Bertram, TX to Toby & Bea Smith, Gary spent his youth in Marble Falls where he met his wife of nearly 50 years, Rebecca (Becky) Faye Atkinson.

An avid minister of hard work, Gary began his first job at 5 years old, picking cotton alongside his grandparents in Liberty Hill, TX. This early employment experience served as a foundational reference and basis for comparison when his children were unable to mow the lawn as exceptionally as the 5-year-old version of himself would’ve done so.  As a United States Army veteran who volunteered to serve during Vietnam, he was a role model to his children and grandchildren who continue to follow in his footsteps. After 8 years of service, and winning Top Gun in Seridan’s for 5 consecutive years, he decided to leave military service as he wanted any future children that he and Becky had to be born true Texans, which they wouldn’t be if they were born on a military base outside of Texas.  Shortly after returning to TX, he entered the petro-chemical industry, a decision that would ultimately lead to him starting his own business, Time Scale Planning, operating globally.

Known by many as a multi-genre movie enthusiast, it was rumored that Gary had reached the end of both the Netflix and Amazon Prime library as the family had been unable to identify a single movie Gary had not seen since 2010.  Legend has it that Gary’s extensive knowledge of Spaghetti Western films got the attention of director, Sergio Leone, who secretly requested Gary’s advice prior the filming of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Man with No Name; and Once Upon a Time in the West. It is also rumored that Sergio took Gary’s guidance and cast Clint Eastwood to take the lead role in all 3 films.

A true connoisseur of southern food, Gary was a firm believer that Frito pie was best served in a Frito Pie snack bag, covered in a mountain of chili (with beans), cheddar cheese, white onions and jalapenos.  Brisket was best cooked with an ice-cold Shiner Bock in hand and in his backyard smoker since his ranch gave him access to the world’s finest mesquite wood. In a recent visit to a fine dining establishment outside Washington DC, he developed a strong opinion that no restaurant should be allowed to earn a Michelin rating unless they served cold beer, fried mushrooms, and chicken fried steak with white gravy.

Highly in-tune with Farmin’ and Ranchin’ fashion trends, Gary could often be seen wearing his signature overalls, a look that has alternated between fad and classic for decades, but never falling out of style.  Although he did not live as long as we would’ve wanted, his life was exceptional, traveling the world exploring Germany, India, Japan, Australia and Aruba, to name a few.  World-renowned for his exceptional story telling ability, you could be 100% certain that all his stories were at least partially true.  He loved his family, Long John Silvers, all his cows, and fried okra.  He disliked lazy people, Weesatch trees, shrimp and Democrats (except his daughter-in-law, Sherry). He encouraged his children to live bold and daring lives, always reminding them, “If you ever fall down in life, never forget you can always come home to dust yourself off before you get back up and try again.”

Before passing, Gary paved a 67-year path of laughter, generosity, compassion and wisdom.  He will be desperately missed by his wife Becky, who will defiantly hire a contractor to finish construction on the house Gary has been ‘finishing’ for over 30 years; his daughter Angel, who has been impossible to be married to since Gary taught her “don’t put up with any sh!+ from a man.”; his son Todd, who rebelliously finishes his home improvement projects in a reasonable period of time; and William who is determined to live out his lifelong dream of bootlegging TX whiskey.  He is also survived by his grandchildren (Kaelin, Kai, Alana, Nicholas, Eli, Tobin & Tesla) who have vowed to avenge his death; his daughters-in-law (Julie & Sherry) and son-in-law (Steve) who have promised to try and keep his children out of prison; his mother, Beatrice, sister (Nita), and brothers (Gaylon and Douglas) who were lucky enough to know him and love him first.

A viewing will be held on April 26, 2022 from 2:00-6:00 pm at Sawyer-George Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, TX.  Memorial Services will be held on April 30, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls, TX with Mr. James Crawford officiating. The burial at Marble Falls Cemetery will immediately follow the service.  For any thieves who may be considering a visit to the house while we are at the services, we have left a high-powered electric fence, a professional assassin and a shih-tzu with a bad attitude at home to welcome you.

In lieu of flowers, Gary has requested that friends and family vote Republican in all future elections. In contrast, Becky has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society to support the research that helps improve the treatments and quality of life of those suffering from this cruel disease.

We love you, daddy.  We weren’t ready for you to go.