Stanley Smith

Stanley Earl Smith passed away on March 12, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born in the city of Gladwin, Michigan, in the afternoon of October 31, 1927 to Wilbur and Vera (Taylor) Smith. He grew up in Gladwin County and attended five different rural schools in the county. In 1942 his family moved to Saginaw County where he attended Saginaw Arthur Hill High School. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and served 3 years on a Destroyer, the USS Ellison, DD864. He served on the Atlantic Coast and in the Middle East Mediterranean area.

After being honorable discharged from the Navy he attended the University of Michigan and graduated with both a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953, and a Master of Science degree in 1954. He held several jobs with the US Forest Service as a surveyor, in Nebraska as a wildlife manager, in Minnesota as assistant wildlife refuge manager as well as in the retail business in Wisconsin.

After returning to Michigan he got a teaching certificate and taught 2 years in Saginaw County. He moved back to Gladwin in 1960 and taught 5 ^th grade in the Gladwin School system for 26 years. After retiring he continued teaching as a substitute for about 2 years.

He was involved in county activities for several years. He helped organize the Gladwin Education Association and served as president as well as negotiator. He also served as an officer in the Michigan Education Association. He served as president of the Gladwin County Sportsman’s Club, and co-founded and served as president of the Gladwin County Ice Carnival. He was co-founder of the Wiggins Lake Property Association. He also helped organize the Sheriff’s Posse and served as its first captain.

He had several hobbies including Amateur Radio, woodworking, woodcarving, gardening, writing, collecting things, hunting and fishing.

In 1966 he married Hannah Laura LaRue and they had three children, Keith Douglas (Joan Moulton) Smith living in Connecticut, Karen Diane (John) Schliesser, living in Ohio, and Karl David Smith, living in Nevada. He has five grandchildren, Brandon Smith (and his wife Janelle), Kade Smith, Pamela Smith, Jacob and Andrew Schliesser, along with two great-grandchildren, Aubree and Wesson Smith.