Garvin Smith March 5, 1937 – October 3, 2022 Ann Arbor, Michigan

Obituary for Garvin Lewis Smith
Garvin “Gar” Lewis Smith, age 85, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022.

Gar was born the second child of Charles and Norma (Graves) Smith in Toledo, Ohio. Shortly after his birth, the Smith family relocated to east Ann Arbor where he enjoyed a happy childhood alongside his older brother, Charles. After graduating from University High School in 1955 Gar enlisted in the United States Army. Upon his return home, he completed trade school for masonry and worked locally in the area.

On June 21, 1958, Gar married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Marie Galpin, and established a home together in Ann Arbor where they raised two children, Suzanne and Ronald.

Garvin’s wife Suzanne, a teacher in South Lyon public schools, motivated him to go back to school to earn a degree in education. He obtained a teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University and accepted a position at South Lyon Elementary as a physical education teacher. Eventually, he moved over to the high school where he would become the athletic director, then the assistant principal for ten years, and the principal for five years. Before his retirement in the early 1990’s, he circled back to the elementary school as a physical education teacher where his career in teaching began.

In his spare time, Gar enjoyed being outdoors to enjoy all of Michigan’s seasonal weather- often golfing or snowmobiling. He also deeply enjoyed being up-north with his family.

From 1985 until 2007, Gar was the Fire Chief of Superior Township, where he had been a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years. He took the role as Fire Chief with great pride and dedication. The relationships formed with the other firefighters brought him the greatest amount of joy and endless camaraderie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne; his parents, Charles and Norma; and his brother, Charles “Chuck”.

Gar will forever be missed by his children, Suzanne (Alan) Wooters and Ronald (Jean) Smith; his five grandchildren, Michael Bricault, Stephen (Mindy) Bricault, William (Megann) Smith, Christopher Bricault, and Sara (John) LeBlanc; and six (nearly seven) great-grandchildren.

Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Arbor Hospice, who provided great kindness and care to Gar in his last moments.