Obituary
Gordon Smithies, 84, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023, at his Cape Coral home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Kamas, Utah, on May 31, 1938, to parents Alden and Polly (Lefler) Smithies. Gordon graduated from Safford High School in Arizona. From 1957 to 1961 he served in the U.S. Navy as a journalist writing for the Stars and Stripes while stationed in Spain and Italy. He came home and raised three wonderful children: Mitchell, Melodie, and John.
Gordon had an adventurous spirit which led him to many interesting paths through the years. He took pilot lessons in high school and owned his own airplane. He worked as a bank loan officer, a private investigator, and a long-haul truck driver. On December 1, 1982, he married Patricia Schultze Wozniak while in the hospital recuperating from a serious truck accident. Afterwards Gordon and Pat became a truck-driving team and enjoyed life on the road together. They decided that whatever work they did, they wanted to do it together. After years of truck driving, they decided to buy and operate a Radio Shack in Sedona, Arizona. Eventually they retired and became snowbirds, living both in Green Bay and Cape Coral, Florida.
In addition to love for his family, Gordon enjoyed music, playing guitar and singing in the Blue Notes band in his younger days. He was a huge dog lover and will be missed by his beloved Danny Boy. He was a big Green Bay Packers fan. GO PACK! He also enjoyed drawing and watching old sitcoms.
Gordon will be greatly missed by his wife Pat; his children Mitchell (Laurie) Smithies, Melodie (Jim) Richardson, and John (Evelyn) Smithies; and his sister Colleen Brown. He will also be missed by Pat’s children: Wendy (Jim) Belant and Randy Wozniak. He is further survived by grandchildren: Jennifer (Dax) Cox, Jessica Jones, Erin (Chandler) Whelan, Ryan Smithies, Christopher (Jennifer) Hines, Kyle Hines, Megan Hines, Josh Halligan, Andy Belant, Alex Belant, and great grandchildren Harper Cox, Emma Samaniego, and Christopher Hines.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at a future date. Fond memories may be shared by visiting:
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Baldwin Brothers Cape Coral.
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