Terry Smith

Terry Smith, 83, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at Taylor House Hospice, surrounded by his family.

Terry was born on July 16, 1939 in Charles City, Iowa to Alice (Sweasy) and Howard Smith. He was the youngest of 10 with one dying in infancy. Terry’s father passed away when he was 5 and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Earl Pyle, who instilled in him his great work ethic. In 1954 the family moved to Floyd, Iowa where he joined a class of 16 as a sophomore. He played baseball and basketball and became Senior class president of 1957. In 1958 he moved to Ankeny, Iowa to work for John Deere. At that time he started dating Genevieve (G.Ann) Bonzer who he had known from high school. They married in December of 1961 and settled in Des Moines. They have two children, Steve and LeAnne.

In 1969, Terry went to work for Jack Pester at Pester Derby (later Coastal) and managed one gas station in West Des Moines for seven years before moving up to supervise 10 stations and eventually moving into the office. In 1993 Terry went to work for Bruce Austin at Applied Electronics Co. in St. Charles. He retired in 2006 as Vice President.

Terry enjoyed racing motorcycles but hung up his racing “hot shoe” when his daughter came along. He then took up building and flying model airplanes. In 1972 the family purchased a farm near St. Charles, IA where they raised Angus cattle. They had just celebrated 50 years of farm ownership this August. In 2008 the cows were sold and he “retired” from farming but kept busy managing the pastures and fences. In later years he enjoyed going to Tucson where he enjoyed the sun and walking and working out every day. He made many new friends there.

Terry and G.Ann were part of a card club in St. Charles and took up square dancing and then ballroom dancing. Many lifelong friends were made along the way. Terry loved his family and had a special place in his heart for two nieces, Diane Daniels and Susan Lynch who spent many summers on the farm.

One of the highlights of his life, at age 73, was a motorcycle trip on his 1971 500cc Triumph, from NH to IA with his son, Steve and son-in-law, Tom.

Terry had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. You always knew where you stood with him.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Carma (Bernard) Palmer, Mavis (Andy) Miller, Alice (LeRoy Kapping and Joseph) Hull, six brothers, Lyle (Grace) Smith, Bill (Arlene) Smith, Bobby (Barbara) Smith, Roger (Rita) Smith, and Larry Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, children Steve (Kari) Smith, LeAnne (Tom) Fifield, grandchildren Maegan (Randall McCoy) DeForest, Andy Smith, Sara Smith and Thomas Fifield, great grandson Cayden McCoy, sisters-in-law Marion Smith and Muriel Short, brother-in-law Chuck (Janet) Bonzer and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Per his wishes, there will be no visitation with a graveside service at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to Taylor House Hospice, 3401 E. Douglas Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317 or Jackson Township/St. Mary’s Fire Dept, PO Box 95, St. Mary’s, IA 50241 or St. Charles Fire Dept. Association, City of St. Charles, PO Box 118, St. Charles, IA 50240.

Condolences may be expressed at KaleFuneralHome.com.