Gary Howard Smith

Gary Howard Smith was born on June 30, 1951, to Edward Howard Smith and Joyce Robinson Smith in Bethesda, Maryland at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Gary transitioned this life on April 3, 2025.

Gary grew up in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, DC. He belonged to the large but very tight knit Robinson family, which was led by their proud family matriarch, Flossie Mae. Under Flossie’s watchful eye, and the tutelage of his many beloved uncles and aunts, Gary learned to be kind, caring, just, always ready to help someone in need, and just as ready to fight if the situation demanded.

Gary’s family always prioritized education and instilled that value in Gary from a young age. Gary graduated from Anacostia High School in 1969, attended Catholic University, where he was a star athlete in track and field, and earned his bachelor’s degree in science from DC Teacher’s College in 1973. 

While in college, Gary met the love of his life and lifelong partner, Celeste. They married on July 30, 1977 and had five children, Edward (“Smitty”), Adam, Cara, Lindsey, and Gabrielle.

Gary had many jobs throughout his life. He worked as a caddy, a blackjack dealer, auto mechanic, DC Public School teacher and, eventually, IT specialist. His IT skills took him around the world, building networks and computer systems for the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture. Gary worked at embassies in Moscow, Beijing, Warsaw, and Bern. He retired from the Department of Agriculture in 2012 to spend his time doing what he loved, taking care of his family and beloved Celeste. 

Gary’s friends and family called him by many names – Gary, Sluggo, Chop, Dad. Everyone who came to know Gary knows that he was no normal man. He was not particularly big, a little under six feet tall with a thin, athletic build, but he was almost supernaturally strong. He was not particularly loud or extroverted, always carrying himself in a very reserved and soft spoken way, but he had a powerful presence and when he did speak his words were weighty. He was highly intelligent, but never arrogant or smug, just thoughtful, analytical, and always curious. He rarely talked about charity or preached about causes, but hardly a day passed that he did not go out of his way to help a stranger in need. And, perhaps more than anything, he had a resolve and a strength of will that meant, if it was possible to do a thing, then Gary would find a way to do it.

Gary is survived by his wife Celeste; Children - Smitty, Adam (Michele), Cara, Lindsey, Gabrielle. His sisters Carolyn Lewis, Joyce Williams, Tedi Johnson, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Gary's Fundraiser at the Alzheimer's Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Howard Smith, please visit our floral store.