Garey Smith

Garey Smith, 78 of Maxwell, died Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Story Medical Center in Nevada. Garey was born October 24, 1942, in Clarinda, Iowa the son of Glenn Humphrey and Edna Irene (Thompson) Smith. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1961 and was united in marriage to Carole Ann Lee on March 21, 1964, in Cambridge. Early in Garey and Carole’s marriage, as they made their home in Nevada and then Cambridge, Garey enjoyed coaching rec baseball and quickly learned he had a strong passion for coaching. He decided to return to college where he had the opportunity to serve as a student coach under Glen Anderson, and then Maury John for two years at Iowa State University. Garey then transferred to Northwest Missouri State where he continued as a student coach and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1975. Upon graduation, he started his teaching career at Fairfax High School where he taught business and coached both men’s and women's basketball, along with various other coaching responsibilities until 1982. During his time there, he led the Lady Bulldogs to an undefeated season ending with a Missouri State Championship title in 1980. The team was later inducted into the Missouri High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In 1982, Garey moved his family back to Iowa to teach physical education and coach women’s basketball at William Penn College. During this time, he continued to work towards a Master of Education degree, of which he earned in 1985. Garey left William Penn in 2000 and began the latter part of his career as the Women's Head Basketball Coach at Grandview University beginning in the 2000-2001 season and ending with his retirement at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 season. Those who followed Garey’s coaching may recall his signature start phrase, “Hey, now look…!”, at the beginning of each time out. Garey’s career is highlighted with two more Hall of Fame honors, one from Grandview University in 2018, as well as one from William Penn University that will be honored in 2021. Even though we like to mention his over 750 career wins, his truest, and greatest fulfillment was the relationships he was able to build with his many players, staff, and colleagues. In retirement, Garey loved to spend time with his grandkids and support them in all their activities. He and Carole enjoyed nothing more than to watch their grandkids in their many activities. From football to basketball to baseball and soccer games, they attended as many as they could, often rushing from a morning game to make it to another’s afternoon game. Even with a busy schedule, Garey found time to continue coaching. He was especially proud to have coached his grandson’s basketball team, alongside his son-in-law in 2018, and was honored to have coached the Collins-Maxwell Jr. High girls’ basketball team last year. Garey is survived by his wife, Carole of Maxwell; his son, Todd Smith of Huxley and his children, Brooke and Cassandra Smith, his son, Eric Smith and his children, Mia and Tia Ann Smith; his daughter, Candace (Josh) Ashman of Oskaloosa and their children Maddux, Cael and Harper; and special friends, Susan Smith and Sandy Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents. A private family service will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Heartland Baptist Church. Burial will be at the Cambridge Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed on the Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/rasmussonfh) beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. November 24. A public Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in memory of Garey for use to be determined at a later date. Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rasmussonfh.com