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Gary A. Smith

1948-2022

 

Gary A. Smith Sr., 73, of Shawnee, KS passed away in the early hours of May 15, 2022 at Care Haven in Overland Park, KS.

 

Gary was born May 27, 1948 in Miami, FL to Nancy and Albion Smith.  He spent the majority of his childhood growing up in Georgia and later became a respiratory therapist.  It was during this time, while working at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, that he met his wife, Kay Matson.  They wed on May 29, 1971 and lovingly welcomed two sons, Gary A. Smith, Jr. and Robert G. Smith.  Gary loved his family with all his heart and was also very career driven. In 1984, Gary moved his family to Kansas City to work for the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).  He flourished in his role as vice-president and later as president of the Board, and played an integral role in starting Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) here in Kansas City.

 

Gary enjoyed being on the water.  He loved boating and deep-sea fishing and always loved being on his boat at the Lake of the Ozarks and later at Table Rock Lake in Missouri.  He loved golf and Georgia football and would spend many a weekend afternoon watching his favorites on television.  He also had a love and passion for cars and enjoyed building up his car collection over the years. 

 

His parents, Nancy and Albion Smith, his sister, Sally Sharpless, and his wife of 50 years, Kay Smith, preceded him in death. 

 

He is survived by his two sons, Gary A. Smith, Jr. (wife Lindsay) and Bobby Smith (wife Annie), three grandchildren, Ali, Gage and Aubrey, and his nephew Robbie Sharpless.

 

Special thanks to the loving care he received at Care Haven, to the dedication of Ascend Hospice during the last week of his life, and to Maryann, who cared for him as if he were her own father.  No words can adequately express how much the care of these people meant to him and his family.

 

Gifts in Gary’s honor may be directed to: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terr, Kansas City, MO 64113, or The Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org/

 

Services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday June 4th at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, followed by a brief reception.  
Send Condolences
Additional Service:
Memorial Service
Location:
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Address:
6401 Wornall Terrace
City:
Kansas City
State:
Missouri
Zip Code:
64113
Date of Service:
Jun 04, 2022
Time of Service:
10:00 am
Additional Information:
No Additional Information Added
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map

Condolences

Beth Brown May 17, 2022

friend ,CULLODEN ,Georgia

My Condolences and prayers for the family on your loss. You will certainly be in my prayers with your loss! The profession has lost an avid warrior for the profession of respiratory therapy. Gary was certainly a leader at the state and the national level and will be missed. After graduation from GSU in Atlanta, my first job mas working for Gary at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. I also worked with him at the state and national level in respiratory therapy’s professional organizations. Gary was a mentor for me in the field and a friend. RIP my friend. May you and Kay be dancing in the streets as you are reunited.

Anthony L. DeWitt May 17, 2022

Co-worker ,Opelika ,AL

Gary was a consummate professional. Although plagued with health issues in the final years of his exceptional life, he continued to push himself to attend board meetings of the American Respiratory Care Foundation. He was a therapist's therapist, an exceptional and innovative thinker, and has left a hole in the profession he served for so many years. There is not a respiratory therapist practicing today who has not benefitted from all Gary did. May God grant him eternal rest and peace in the arms of Jesus, and I pray that his reunion with Kay was a happy one in heaven. I trust the Lord to comfort his children and closest friends.

Tonya Winders May 17, 2022

Friend ,Nashville ,Tennessee

As chair of the ARCF it was an honor and pleasure to serve alongside Gary for a number of years. He truly was a champion for respiratory care and the profession who will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers go to his family in the entire respiratory community who knew him and loved him dearly.

Sam May 17, 2022

Friend ,Dallas ,Texas

Gary, was a friend and colleague. His decades of work helping RT help our patients. Gary was one of those rare individuals who went beyond his professional duties to and helped our profession in its efforts to better serve our patients. I am proud to have known him, and count him as a friend. Make God Bless him and Keep him. Sam

Steve Bryant May 17, 2022

Friend ,SPRINGFIELD ,Missouri

I am greatly saddened by Gary's passing and send my deepest condolences to Gary Jr., Bobby and their families. Having worked with Gary over 30 years, I know what a GIANT he was in the respiratory care profession and the leadership he provided in the credentialing and assessment industries. He participated in many developments that are taken for granted in respiratory care today, including credentialing of pulmonary function technologists by the NBRC, development of the single-entry CRT Examination that is the basis for licensure in 49 states, computerization of the NBRC's test development and administration process, the transition from pencil/paper to computer-based testing and the credentialing of respiratory therapists in Latin America. He left an indelible impact on the NBRC and its former subsidiary, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP), as well as the national organizations promoting construction of high-quality credentialing and licensure examinations. He will be missed by current and former staff members of NBRC/AMP and respiratory care professionals across the country. Rest in peace my friend and colleague. Steve Bryant

Terry Volsko May 17, 2022

Colleague ,Canfield ,Ohio

Gary left and indelible mark on the respiratory care profession. I had the honor of serving no the NBRC Board under his tillage and with him on the American Respiratory Care Foundation. His commitment to excellence in credentialing, and professional service was unmatched. However, his love for his beautiful wife an family was unmatched. He frequently spoke of how proud he has of his sons and shared beautiful family photos! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. I pray that work wonderful memories you have of your dad and mom will comfort you. Terry

Lynda Goodfellow May 18, 2022

colleague ,PEACHTREE CITY ,Georgia

Gary was my first boss out of college. During my time at the Medical Center, the drive for knowledge was further instilled in me and for our profession, in a large part due to Gary. I am so thankful I was able to visit Kay and Gary last June so that I could thank him for taking a chance on me. Gary's book on the history of the profession is a must-read.

Charlie Brooms May 19, 2022

Friend and associate ,Cookeville ,Tennessee

Knew Gary for decades. Exceptional professional, caring, concerned, and a stalwart supporter if Respiratory Care profession.His humor, quick wit, and forward thinking will be missed. Rest In Peace my friend.

Dean Hess May 19, 2022

Colleague ,Danvers ,Massachusetts

I learned to know Gary when serving as NBRC President 30 years ago. During that time we shared many laughs together. In the years following, we would see one another once or twice a year at professional gatherings - usually the AARC Congress. Due to Gary's pleasant outgoing personality, we quickly fell into our old pattern of sharing a laugh. He will be missed.

Lindsay Smith May 19, 2022

Daughter-in-law ,Shawnee ,Kansas

Well, Gary (or Grandpa Smith which we’ve called you since Ali was born), what can I say? I’ve learned so much about your professional contributions this week and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s comments about your career. I’ve learned that you were just as highly respected in your career as you were in your personal life. I thank you for all that you have done over the years, and will forever be grateful for all the laughs and memories. You and Kay are so immensely missed here on earth, but I take comfort in knowing you both are reunited and watching over us and your precious grandchildren. You and Kay raised an incredible son that I get to call my husband, and for that I will always be grateful! I am glad you got to see the ‘Smith Compound’ come to fruition before you got sick, and let me tell you, the street is never going to feel the same again without you guys next to us! We love you!! Lindsay

Glenda May 20, 2022

Friend (22 years) and my Boss ,Shawnee ,Kansas

Gary, you will be missed so much but I know you are in a better place and with your amazing wife, Kay. I love you both so much and you will be terribly missed. You were an amazing boss and we worked so well together. I always got a kick out of you and Kay and you would introduce me as your “second wife”. Gary Jr, Bobby and your dear families, I am so sorry for your loss with both of your parents passing so close together. Love to you all. Glenda

Carol Kimsey May 20, 2022

Friend ,Macon ,Georgia

Gary Jr and Bobby, I know you don’t remember our family but you used to come over and swim and spend time at Lake Tobesofkee with our boys, Mark and Matthew. My husband, Bob Kimsey, and I knew Gary and Kay very well and spent time together socially as well as professionally. Gary made an impact on us when we were still in our teens and encouraged us, like so many others, in our careers. I am so sorry to read that they are gone from this earth but glad they are together again. God bless you both and your families! Carol Kimsey

Bob Regnier May 22, 2022

Friend ,Leawood ,Kansas

Most sincere condolences to the family on Gary's passing. Two parents in a short period of time. Gary is now reunited with his life partner. I first met Gary though some mutual work on the Church's finance committee. Gary showed his business expertise and leadership skills. I subsequently had the opportunity to work with Gary and NBRC in business. Through his leadership he took the company to new heights. Most importantly he was a good person. We will miss the opportunity to be with him.

Sharee Broils Jun 04, 2022

Dear friend ,Grandview ,Missouri

I'm sorry for your loss sending my love and deepest condolences to you and your family keeping you'll in my prayers.. To dear friend and extended family