Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith, 78 of Harbor Springs, died March 7, 2026 at the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Jerry was born on August 19, 1947 in Petoskey, the son of Leo and Ethel (Umior) Smith and was raised in Harbor Springs, graduating from high school with the Class of 1965.

Jerry served his country in Vietnam from 1966-1968, returning home in time in 1968 to watch the Detroit Tigers, of whom he was a lifelong fan, win the World Series. Upon his return home, Jerry went to work for the Harbor Springs Dept of Public Works and continued to work there until he retired in 2002, 33 years later.

Jerry enjoyed deer hunting, stock car racing and cheering on his son’s stock car racing, camping, and fishing trips to the Soo. He loved being outdoors and was known for always having a good joke or a story to tell. He was a member of the VFW and the DAV and was not only a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers, but the Detroit Lions as well. He will be greatly missed by all those that knew him.

He is survived by his son, Garrett Smith of Harbor Springs; granddaughter, Carissa Smith; a brother, Tom (Alice) Smith of Colorado Springs, CO; a niece, Elise Tippett; and by 2 nephews, Brad (Alana) Smith and Jeff (Courtney) Smith.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon Smith; mother and father-in-law, Horace and Veda Tippett, brother-in-law, Stuart Tippett; and by a nephew, Jonathan Tippett.

Jerry will be laid to rest with Sharon at the Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of the Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey.

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