Gerald Smith

Gerald Smith


Dates

November 5, 1942 - February 6, 2022

Obituary

Gerald Smith, 79, of Mt. Vernon, SD, died Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Per Gerald’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gerald James Smith was born November 5, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA to Gerald S. and Irene (Wilkinson) Smith. As a small child he moved to Mesa, AZ with his grandparents, and received his education there from Arizona State University. He married Barbara Kay Green in Mesa on November 3, 1961. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2021.

Gerald received his license as a certified public accountant in 1966. In 1970, with 3 small children in tow, they moved to South Dakota searching for a better place to raise their family, and a more rural lifestyle. In 1981, he decided to open his own accounting office, first in Mt. Vernon then in Mitchell. With assistance from Barb, they gave their many clients personal, professional accounting services. After a heart attack in 2014, Gerald retired after having been a CPA for over 50 years. Retirement was not exactly as he had hoped, but he found pleasure in his vast library. He most wanted to be respected not for his house or his car or his clothes, but for his great desire to understand the universe and “what was really there” and for his remarkable ability to study, learn, and speak dozens of other languages.

Gerald was a past president of Kiwanis Club, treasurer of Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, and a member of the Mt. Vernon School Board for nine years (president).

Gerald is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Gwynnevere Smith, Cape Coral, FL and Deidre Mahin, Lincoln, KS; and son, David K. Smith, Seaford, DE.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Vinsant; aunt, Vera Jacovelli; his grandparents; and his faithful companion of 15 years, his dog Shunka.





Posted by Dan and Janette Block (Tollefson) on March 8, 2022
Dear David and family,
I went to school with David in Mt. Vernon with many good memories. I spoke with your father many times and enjoyed his topics. David and family I am sorry for your loss and thinking of you.
Posted by Barb Smith on February 17, 2022
Thank you for all your kind thoughts. they are appreciated.
Posted by Sherry Hines on February 10, 2022
My heartfelt sympathies. Lots of good memories from my years of working with Barb & Jerry .
Posted by Jeff Heppler on February 10, 2022
Jerry helped us for 32 years. I will never forget the conversations we had not related to tax preparation.
Posted by Julie Greenway on February 10, 2022
So sorry for your loss
Posted by Carol Sundall & Mary Schoenfelder on February 10, 2022
So very sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was an awesome man. Have many memories of our visits. May God grant you comfort and strength. Our sincere sympathies.
Posted by Gerald Moege on February 8, 2022
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing!! I have missed my little visits with him and have thought of him many times in the past. You have my condolences!
Posted by lee buffington on February 8, 2022
sorry to hear of Geralds passing.. do not think i have visited with him or Barb since I moved to artesian.
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