01/19/2026
Santa Anna, Texas- Gary Lee Smith, 70, passed away January 15, 2026.
Service is pending.
“They no longer hear the calling of the watches, or the falling of the storm rain in the night. Seas shall weary them no more, for they have reached their final haven – their further shore.”
Gary Lee Smith of Coleman County suffered a heart attack on Jan. 11 and died on Jan. 15, 2026, at Hendrick Medical Center North in Abilene, Texas.
Gary was born Nov. 1, 1955, at Bergstrom AFB, Travis County, Texas, to Verle Max “Red” Smith and Anastacia “Ann” Elizabeth Schatz. They moved to Dyess AFB in Abilene and Gary attended Lee Elementary, Madison Junior High, and graduated from Cooper High School in 1974. While at Madison, he joined St. James UMC & was very active in the Youth Group, where he made many life-long friends and met his future wife. While in high school, he worked at the Original Taco Bueno on S. First Street and was assistant manager at Whataburger.
When his brother Steve (USN) returned from Vietnam, he convinced Gary to go with him to the Calhoun Maritime (Merchant Marine) Academy in downtown Baltimore, MD. Gary successfully completed his sea year in 1976, graduated in 1978, and obtained his First Engineer’s license in May of 1978. During his career of 32 years, he worked as a Marine Engineer, achieving the rank of Chief Engineer at age 31, on the following ships: S.S. American Challenger, S.S. Charlotte Lykes, S.S. Thomas Nelson, S.S. Almeria Lykes, S.S. Mallory Lykes, S.S. Leticia Lykes, S.S. Ruth Lykes, M.V. Overseas Harriet, M.V. Lykes Navigator, M.V. CP Yosemite, and the M.V. Philadelphia Express. He visited 72 countries around the world during that time and was a proud member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (AFL-CIO).
He married Dawn Elisabeth Longmire (CHS ’78), the sweetheart of his youth on Jan. 14, 1982. They had no children, but they had 17 different dogs over the years, all of whom adored Gary. They lived in Abilene until he bought property in Coleman County in Jan. of 2000. They built a house & moved into it in 2009. He retired in the Spring of 2010 and Dawn (formerAbilene ISD teacher) retired from Bangs ISD in 2018. They loved to make each other laugh and were life-long best friends, even when they weren’t speaking to each other. They celebrated 44 years of marriage on Jan. 14, 2026.
Gary enjoyed telling and hearing great stories; he was a master storyteller, 99% of which were true. He had a gift for diagnosing and repairing any apparatus, motor or engine. He enjoyed scuba diving, hunting, fishing, raising & training Labrador Retrievers & English Pointers, and trying new & different cuisines & wines. He hated mountain Junipers (aka Cedars) & mesquite trees and took great pleasure in ripping them out of the earth. He had great love for his family & friends. He was a man of his word and a very loyal friend. He also loved learning anything new and learning how to do it perfectly.
He is preceded in death by both parents, all grandparents, and 17 dogs. He is survived by his brother Steven D. Smith & wife Irlynda of Eula, TX; sister Candace Renee Martin & husband James of Fitzgerald, GA; brothers-in-law Steven Longmire & wife Dina of Abilene, TX, Christopher Longmire & wife Annette of Darmstadt, Germany, and Christian Longmire of Tampa, FL; niece Ashley Star Martin & husband Miguel Velasquez, Jr. of Austin, TX; niece Anna Smith Bankston & husband Tommy of Spring, TX; nephew Lieutenant Commander (USN) Joshua A. Martin of Poulsbo, WA; nephew Travis Smith of Eula, TX; niece Caitlin Martin Harte & husband Steve of Norman, OK; nephews Casey Longmire & wife Megan of Abilene, TX and Clayton Longmire & wife Stephanie of Lubbock; nieces Lorelei Longmire and Hazel Longmire of Tampa, Florida; and numerous great-nieces/nephews, cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. James UMC: Youth Camping Fund. Some of Gary’s fondest teenage memories involved going to church camp and he was always ready & willing to donate to the camping experience of other teenagers.
CHENG Gary L. Smith, Finished with Engines, 15 Jan 2026
Fair winds and following seas.
Psalm 23 - Sailor's Edition Author Unknown
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift.
He guides me across the dark waters.
He steers me through deep channels.
He keeps my log.
Yea, though I sail 'mid the thunders
and tempest of life,
I shall dread no anger, for He is with me;
His love and His care, shelter me.
He prepares a quiet harbor before me.
He anoints the waves with oil,
My ship rides calmly.
Surely sunlight and starlight
shall guide me on the voyage I take,
And I will rest in heaven’s port forever.
Arrangements with Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene, Texas.
