Gerald “Jerry” Smith, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at his home.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Nicole Martin officiating.
Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.
A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the burial at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary. Visitation continues one hour before the service.
The family prefers casual dress for all services.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.
Gerald “Jerry” Delano Smith was born on January 8, 1935, in Aberdeen, SD, to Leo Mathias and Vada (Warfield) Smith. He attended school in Westport. In Jerry’s younger years, he would often visit the A&W drive-in to talk to a pretty young carhop named Eldena Munsch. Jerry and Eldena were married on December 31, 1952. Through this union, they were blessed with two sons, Craig and Jeff, and one daughter, Tammy. Eldena passed away in 1998.
Jerry married Mary Ann Murray on October 7, 2000, in Rapid City, SD, at the Chapel in the Hills. The family grew with the addition of Mary Ann’s sons, Tom and Scott. Jerry and Mary Ann made their home in Aberdeen.
In 1964, Jerry attended training to learn the radiator business. He soon opened Jerry’s Radiator Service in Aberdeen. After 44 years of service, Jerry retired in 2008. He spent his retirement watching old westerns and game shows, visiting the occasional casino, and spending several Friday nights here and there at the Brown County Speedway, an avid race fan for his whole life.
Jerry’s passion was racing stock cars at the Brown County Speedway and local tracks. During his racing career, he was awarded the Sportsmanship of the Year award, which he was very proud of.
Grateful for having shared Jerry’s life are his daughter, Tammy (Dean) Wasem; stepsons, Tom (Pennie) Murray and Scott Murray; grandchildren: Haven (Steve) Doolittle, Joshua (Samantha) Smith, Jebediah (Holly) Smith, Jessica Smith, Nicholas Smith, Jeremy (Stacie) Wasem, Alisha (Steve) Schlosser, and step-grandchildren Brittany Murray and Blaine Murray; along with 13 great-grandchildren. Just for the record, Jerry never dyed his hair.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Eldena 1952-1998; second wife Mary Ann 2000-2025; and his sons Craig and Jeff.
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