OBITUARY Gerald Frederick Smith September 13, 1942 – September 30, 2018 COLUMBIA – Gerald Frederick Smith died September 30, 2018 as a result of injuries he sustained from a fall at his mountain house in North Carolina. He was born September 13, 1942 in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of George Frederick Smith and Louise Lockamy Smith. He grew up in Shandon during a time when many of the streets in that Columbia neighborhood were still unpaved and a boy could ride the bus downtown to the Saturday matinee movie, purchase a coke and bag of popcorn, all for a only a quarter. Gerald attended Rosewood Elementary, Hand Junior High and Dreher High School. He remained good friends with many of his classmates for the rest of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed college at the University of South Carolina, so much so that he extended the customary four years needed for a baccalaureate degree to eight. He claimed he finally got serious about his higher education when he entered USC’s School of Law and graduated with a J.D. degree in 1971 (within the requisite three years). Gerald was a passionate supporter of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from the age of nine; and that support never wavered over the ensuing 67 years. In his own words: “Oh, my beloved Gamecocks. If adversity can serve to prepare a young person for life’s experiences, then being a fan of the Gamecocks is tantamount to earning a graduate degree in the school of hard knocks.” Gerald relished life and all the people he met along the way. In later years he derived great pleasure from renewed friendships with his Dreher classmates through monthly luncheons of the Class of 1960. And every Wednesday evening he enjoyed quaffing a few brews with his “beer group,” several members of which he’d known for almost 70 years. Gerald was able to live the last 11 years of his life to the fullest because when his kidneys were failing due to Type 1 diabetes, his niece, Catherine Allen, gave him the extraordinary gift of one of her kidneys. During those years, he was able to complete the coursework and pass the national exam to become a Certified Financial Planner; to complete the requirements to be a Master Naturalist; to travel extensively; to learn to play the guitar; to hold and kiss his two grandchildren; to cheer his beloved Gamecocks in Madison Square Garden as they won the Elite Eight; to officiate at his daughter, Alex’s, wedding; and to doggedly pursue a lower golf score. Gerald is survived by his wife of 33 years, Pat Smith; son, Costa (Erin) Marcotsis of Ft. Mill; daughters, Alex Marcotsis (Don Robinson) of Lexington and Merritt Smith of Santa Rosa, California; sisters, Linda Hughes and Susan Sox of Columbia; grandchildren, Olivia and Henry Marcotsis; nieces and nephews; his cousin, Evelyne Buysse, of Brugge, Belgium; and his beloved dogs, Chloe and Joey. A memorial service celebrating Gerald Smith’s life will be conducted by the Reverend Margaret Jennings Todd at 2 o’clock, Monday, October 8, 2018 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family will receive friends at home, 3115 Duncan Street, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212; PETSinc, 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170; The Humane Society, 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209; or to a charity of one’s choice. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Send Flowers Show Your Support Share Obituary share to facebook share by email share link Receive Notifications
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerald Frederick Smith 2018.
Death notice for the town of: columbia, state: South Carolina