Coach Garry K. Smith, 68

Boardman: Funeral services will take place for Coach Garry K. Smith on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive in Boardman, with Rev. Michael Knauff officiating. Garry, 68, passed Friday morning, June 24, 2016 at Hospice House surrounded by his family.

Garry was born November 14, 1947 in Youngstown, the son of the late Oscar and Agnes (McCarthy) Smith.

A 1965 graduate of The Rayen School, Garry received a Bachelor's of Science in Education from Youngstown State University and a Master's of Science in Education from Westminister College. Garry was a three-year starter at Guard for legendary coach "Dike" Beede at Youngstown State University, and an outstanding pitcher in Youngstown's Class "B" and "AA" summer baseball leagues.

Garry began his teaching career at Boardman High School in 1969 and retired in 2007 after 38 phenomenal years of teaching. His subject areas were Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Honors American History, World Geography and History.

Coach Smith leaves behind a legacy of coaching throughout the Mahoning Valley at Boardman High School, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, and Western Reserve High School in the sports of football, baseball, and softball, across all levels from middle school to Varsity. He began his football coaching career at Boardman High School as an Assistant Defensive Line Coordinator in 1969 and continued through 1989. The following season, he started at Youngstown Cardinal Mooney as an Assistant Football Coach under Don Bucci until 1992. He came back to Boardman as their Head Football Coach from 1996-2005, and after a brief retirement in 2005, Coach Smith joined Western Reserve's Offensive Line staff from 2012-2014.

His "team play" at Boardman remains unsurpassed. Coach Smith was the only head coach in BHS history to win Steel Valley Championships in three different varsity sports: Football (1997, 1998, 2000), Baseball, and Softball (1994). He was also the Rifle Team coach and Intramural Supervisor, and outside of coaching acted as the Junior Achievement Coordinator for the Social Studies Department. Garry was inducted into Boardman's Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 2007.

Garry is survived by his wife of 47 years, the former Audrey E. Hall (Audge), whom he married on December 21, 1969; three children, Brent Smith of Columbus, Jason (Karen) Smith and Sarah Smith, both of Boardman; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his good friend Fred Foulk of Florida.

He was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church.

Besides his parents, Garry was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Evans and a brother Eugene Smith.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive in Boardman.

The family would like to thank to the Ohio Edison men and firemen who assisted Garry at Bogey's Restaurant when he became ill, the nurses and doctors on the CVIC unit at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Dr. Anthony Boulos, Vibra Hospital of Mahoning Valley and Hospice House, for the care, love, and support that they all gave to Garry and his family at this time.

Arrangements are being handled by Thompson-Filicky Funeral Home in Boardman.

Please visitwww.thompsonfh1932.com to view this notice and send condolences to the family.