Gerald "Jerry" Smith passed away peacefully September 26 ^th in Novi, Michigan at the age of 88.

Jerry was born February 16 ^th 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to F Gerald Smith Sr. and Helen Sally Smith.

Jerry graduated from Detroit Southeastern High School where he lettered in Track & Field. He received his bachelors from Eastern Michigan University and a masters from Michigan State University.  In December 1958 Jerry married Gail Marie Shepard and together settled in Grosse Pointe Shores with their daughter Cheryl and sons Douglas and Gordon.  Jerry was a veteran serving in the US Army and he worked for General Motors in Human Resources from 1964 until he retired in 1989.  Jerry will be remembered as an outdoor enthusiast who loved the water and camping.  In 1947 he and his brothers Richard and Thomas built a cabin in Pancake Bay, Ontario where their families enjoyed spending time on Lake Superior.  Jerry also traveled and enjoyed sharing adventures with his family – a highlight for his sons was a 1976 six week extended tour across the Western US and Canada.  He will be remembered as a lifelong sailor who was a member of the Crescent Sail Yacht Club and participated in several Port Huron-Mackinac races over the years.  He spent his retirement years dividing his time between his Grosse Pointe Shores home and his favorite get-aways in Lake Leelanau and Naples, Florida.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gail and his younger brother Richard.  He is survived by his brother Thomas; his children Cheryl Marie Wenglikowski (Clyde), Douglas Shepard Smith (Patti), and Gordon Gerald Smith (Amy); his grandsons Daniel, Evan, and Austin as well as a large extended family including many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date to be determined by the Smith family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to send donations in Jerry's memory to the Alzheimer's Association .

Please keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.