Gary Edwin Smith died on April 27, 2026. He was born February 12, 1943 in Dodgeville, WI, where he was also raised. He was the son of Edwin J. Smith & Melva A. Smith.

Gary was baptized & confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville.

He graduated from Dodgeville High School in1961. Gary moved to Madison in 1961 and graduated from Madison Area Technical College in 1963.

Gary worked for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue before transferring to the University of Wisconsin Physical Plant Accounting Office where he worked for 36 years, retiring in 1999.

Gary began his long tenure as photographer for the University of Wisconsin Band in the fall of 1980. He continued in that position until his retirement in 2019. During that time, he produced and published imaginative photographs of the band and band personalities in rehearsal, in performance, & in candid moments. For his large body of work, he was awarded the band’s “Spirit of Wisconsin” award. In honor of this award, Trumpet 18, Rank 1 was designated as the ‘Gary Smith Trumpet’.

Gary was also continually involved in providing services for the band ranging from publicity to ticketing to budgeting. He was truly considered to be one of the band’s “best friends”. In 2017 he was appropriately & deservingly inducted into the University of Wisconsin Marching Band “Hall of Fame”.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Edwin J. Smith, his mother, Melva A. Smith, half-brothers, Virgil Nelson & Lavern Smith, half-sister, Marion Peterson, dear friend Phyllis Leckrone & his beloved dog Rusty.

Gary is survived by his cousins, friends Sandy & Stanley Fosdal, Mika & John Mitmoen & family, Michael Leckrone & family, Rod & Nancy Hagan, Brian & Angie Utter & family, & his University of Wisconsin Band Family, along with his canine companion, Teddy.

A service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Dr, Verona, WI. A gathering to celebrate Gary’s life will be held June 6, 2026 at 3:00 pm at 5th Quarter in Verona, WI.

A private burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Dane County Humane Society in Gary E. Smith’s name.

To view this guest book and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Dr
608-845-6625

Gary Smith

February 12, 2043 - April 27, 2026

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