Gary Kent Smith

G. Kent Smith, age 78 and a long time Plainfield, Indiana resident, passed away peacefully at 9:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of December, 2020 at IU Health West Hospital, Avon, Indiana. He was born on September 30, 1942 in Warsaw, the son of A. Jerome Smith and N. Oneida (Smyers) Smith.

Kent brought enjoyment to the people around him with his lighthearted, friendly sense of humor.  He valued education, first teaching for Benton Central School system and later as a Guidance Counselor for the Department of Corrections Indiana Youth Center in Plainfield. After graduating from Manchester High School in 1961, Kent completed his undergraduate education at Manchester College and earned a Master’s Degree from Ball State University in Education.

Kent loved working with teenagers.  He volunteered at the Indiana Youth Group for many years including supplying home cooked meals on a regular basis.  He spent several years fostering adolescent boys.  Kent enjoyed being with people, frequenting the Oasis Diner and trading stories and discussing politics with neighbors from his front porch.  Kent also loved dogs and had several terriers during his lifetime keeping a portrait of his favorite, Ginger, on his fireplace mantel.  He also fostered rescue and older dogs.  He also loved bird watching, maintaining several bird feeders outside his front window.  He particularly enjoyed watching for woodpeckers.

Both of Kent’s parents preceded him in death.  He is survived by a brother Mark, sister-in-law Nancy (Ring), nephews Nathaniel and Caleb, and niece Allison, all of North Manchester, Indiana; aunt Mary Ellen Royer, Fort Wayne, Indiana; and numerous cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with calling beginning at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Ken Sistrunk will officiate. Burial will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana, following the memorial service.

A Celebration of Life is being planned in Plainfield, Indiana, at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Indiana Youth Group, 3733 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 or The American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, Virginia 22202.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary.