Garold H. Smith, 88, of Berryton, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023 at a Topeka hospital. He was born July 5, 1935 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Clarence and Hulda (Merry) Smith.
Garold grew up in the Emporia and Reading communities. He graduated from Reading High School in 1955. After graduation, he moved to the Topeka area.
Garold was active in the Boy Scout program both as a youth and later at the Highland Park United Methodist Church. He served on the Six Area UMC Lake Ministries Board for twenty-three years, taking part in the summer worship services at Clinton Lake.
Garold was an active camper and enjoyed traveling and camping whenever possible. He retired in 1999 from Accu-Fab. After retirement, he and Linda continued staying active with their children and grandchildren's activities and camping across the USA, visiting forty-eight states. Also, some of his traveling highlights included the trip to Israel, Alaska and Nova Scotia.
Garold and Linda spent ten winters working on Mission Projects in Louisiana. They also worked at the Kansas State Fair for over ten years. He had a love for classic cars and trucks, especially his "blue pickup". He was a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church. He was a life-time member of the Family Campers & RV'ers and served as State Director and Field Director for numerous years.
Garold married "the girl next door", Linda VerBrugge on May 27, 1956. They continued living in the Topeka area until 1971 when they moved to the Berryton Community. She survives. Other survivors include three children, Debbie (Ken) Severson of Overland Park, Kansas, Connie (Jim) Brown of Berryton, Beverly (Charles) Finney of Benton, Kansas, four grandchildren, Nicole Brown, Nathan (Haley Ellis) Brown, Ethan Finney and Cora Finney and his brother, Duane Smith of Texas.
A Celebration of Garold's Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2023 at the Highland Park United Methodist Church. Private inurnment will take place in Lynn Creek Cemetery southeast of Topeka. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66605.
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