Gary Smouse

    Gary Douglas, son of Miles and Elva (Holm) Smouse, was born September 22, 1942.  Gary graduated from Bayard High School in 1960 and then enlisted into the United States Navy in 1961 and was honorably discharged in 1965.

   When Gary came back to Iowa from the Navy he worked as a handyman in construction. Gary was an easy going, nice guy and he never met a stranger. Folks considered him the honorary mayor of Bayard since he was always there to meet and greet people and knew a lot of the history of the town. He was proud of the fact that he still slept in the bedroom in the house in which he was born.    He was a member of the Bayard American Legion, Bryan Mercer Post 44.  Gary enjoyed playing cards with his buddies and was an avid lottery ticket purchaser.  Gary cared for the love of his life, Donna Weeks, until she passed away in January 2009. 

   In the last few years Gary has slowed down with his work in construction but never officially retired.  He died unexpectedly of congestive heart failure Sunday, May 8, 2016 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Des Moines at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 16 days.

   Preceding him in death are his parents; longtime companion Donna Weeks and brother Richard Smouse.

   Gary is survived by his children Pete (Becky) Reid of Truro, Deb (Dale) Reichle of LeMars and Annie (Tim) Jessen of Niobrara, NE; 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother Ralph (Nancy) Smouse of Tama; sister-in-law Mildred Smouse of Marion; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.


In lieu of flowers please make donations to the family.