Mr. Gary Alonza Smith passed on peacefully at the age of 84 in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 10, 2019. He will forever be remembered by his children; daughter, Valencia Smith-Neri and husband Mateo Neri; son, Gary Allen Smith and wife Jiovana Rose; two sisters, Josephine Stewart and Lucille Higgins; his grandchildren Sequoia, Marcus, Naava, Naphtali and Asher; great-grand-daughter Leah and host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, David William Smith and Madeline Josephine Curry, and two sisters Evelyn Cooper, and Leola Pocahontas Paige.

Smitty was born on February 6, 1935, in Shadwell, VA. He graduated from East High School in Cleveland OH, and later went on to enlisted in the United States Air Force where he proudly served our country for 10 years as a Systems Mechanic. After moving to California, he began working for Lockheed Missiles & Space Company on Vandenberg Air Force Base as an Electronic Systems Technician which he eventually retired from after 32 ½ years.  With a strong work ethic and refusal to slow down he then went on to work at Central Coast Highway until his passing.

Known by his friends and acquaintances as "Smitty", he was often described as a well-known pillar of his community, always generous and dedicated to his work. A committed member of the Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, he never turned down an opportunity to serve those around him. With a talent and passion for cooking bar-b-que, Smitty was often found in bar-b-que competitions or catering events for the local high school, legion hall, church events and more. Smitty's belief in God, Country and fellow man made him a respected and dignified figure that will forever live on.

The funeral service will be held at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 11AM. Smitty will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Riverside National Cemetery.