Madison
Mr. Gary Allen Smitha Sr., age 75, of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on Sept. 14, 1941, in Gallatin County, Kentucky. He was the loving son of the late William and Helen Hon Smitha. His family moved to the Madison community in 1943, where he lived most of his life. He was a 1959 graduate of Dupont High School and then went to Memphis State for two years. He married Thurma “Corkey” Lee Moore on April 6, 1962, at the Wirt Baptist Church. This happy union of 55 years was blessed with a daughter, Deborah, and with a son, Gary Jr. Gary began employment with Cummins Engine Company and within six months was made a supervisor and was the youngest employee to do so. He also served as general manager and later retired as director of tools in 1995 after 32 years of service. He had traveled extensively for Cummins while employed there. Gary and Corky resided in North Vernon for 17 years and he became a member of the First Christian Church. They later moved to Memphis, Tennessee for four years to set up the new plant there. Gary played in the band, “Rambling Fever”, and was the lead singer and played guitar. He enjoyed country music, video games and fishing. He was expecting another great-grandchild. Gary enjoyed his family and they were the most important thing in his life. He dearly loved the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gary was one who left his mark on anyone whom he came in contact with. Gary died at 3:50 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017, at his home near Madison, Indiana, with his loving wife at his side.
Gary will be missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Thurma “Corkey” Lee Moore Smitha of Madison, Indiana; his loving daughter, Deborah Creech and her companion, Christopher Williams, of North Vernon, Indiana; his loving son, Gary Smitha Jr. and his wife, Carrie, of Madison, Indiana; his brothers, William “Jack” Jackson Smitha and his wife, Susie, of Madison, Indiana and James Douglas Smitha and his wife, Becky, of Madison, Indiana; his sisters, Rita Fae Stinson of Madison, Indiana and Charlotte L. Gossman and her husband, Steve, of Columbus, Indiana; his sister-in-law, Eunice Moore of Madison, Indiana; his loving grandchildren, Bridget, Jerry, Cassi, Jay, Joey, Kimberly, Kristina and Dustin; his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jace, Jasper, Zoey, Chloe, Sierra, Jaylin, Jacob, Logan and Mason; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, William Smitha; his mother, Helen Hon Smitha; and his brother-in-law, Eugene Moore.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2017, by Bro. Dale Boyd at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Dupont Cemetery in Dupont, Indiana. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Cards are available at the funeral home. Online condolences, Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, Indiana.
