Gary Lee Smith, age 77 of Hesperia and Fremont, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 15, 2023 at his home. Gary was born on August 19, 1946 in Fremont to Milo and Bonnie (Graham) Smith and graduated from Fremont High School and later from Michigan State College with a degree in agricultural sciences. Gary had served in the Michigan National Guard until his discharge. Gary has been a lifelong resident of the Fremont area where he had worked the ground of the Centennial Family Farm for many years. Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, backpacking in Wyoming in his younger years, attending sporting events of his grandchildren and listening to country music. Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Laatz of Hesperia; his children, Ted (Tammi) Smith of Sparta; April (Justin) Bock of Fremont, Indiana; his grandchildren, Trenton (Emily) Smith, Thomas Smith and Taylor Smith; Ethan Bock and Delaney Bock; his stepchildren, Paula Glenn and Tabitha Woodard; his step grandchildren, Kevin Woodard, Andrew Holy, Meliyah Kimbrough and Graycelynn Woodard; his brother-in-law, Gerald Church of Fremont; and Mary Ann's extended family in Illinois. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Milo and Bonnie Smith and his sister, Joann Church. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 12pm at the Clark Cemetery. Please consider parking on 48th Street as the cemetery roads are very narrow and allow those that are not able to walk to be able to access the cemetery roads. Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date and time with dates and times to be announced soon. Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Smith family, c/o Crandell Funeral Home in memory of Gary. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Smith family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel. Please join the family for a CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICES : Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Newaygo County Fair Grounds - Michigan Building from 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. and a luncheon will be provided. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Gary Lee Smith, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Graveside Service Clark Cemetery Thursday, September 21, 2023 12:00 PM 9540 W. 48th Street Fremont, MI 49412 Celebration Of Life Newaygo County Fair Grounds - Michigan Building Sunday, October 8, 2023 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM 815 S. Stewart Fremont, MI 49412