Garrett Nelson Smith's Obituary
Garrett Nelson Smith, born November 20, 1932, in Islip, NY, to Nelson and Louise Smith, passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by people he loved and who loved him, on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Garrett moved with his family to Marine City, Michigan in 1943. He graduated from Marine City High School in 1950 and began working in the family business, Smith Plumbing and Heating. In 1952, Garrett was drafted into the Army and proudly served for two years in Alaska before returning to Marine City.
Garrett was a licensed Master Plumber who took over Smith Plumbing and Heating from his father, eventually sold it, and proudly worked as a member of Pipefitters Local 636 until he retired in 1994. Garrett also served as the Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector in many local communities for several decades, reluctantly retiring in 2014.
Garrett was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. He participated in competitions over the years, including hill climbs, mud runs, and charity rides. He owned many different motorcycles over his 65 years of riding, his favorite being a Honda ST1100 equipped with a sidecar for his dog to ride along. Garrett was a member of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area for over 12 years, participating in their senior citizen water exercise programs. He also participated in the St. Clair County Senior Olympics at age 75 and won two medals.
Garrett is survived by his 8 children: Kathleen Crawford of Commerce Township, MI, Michael (Kathleen) of Richmond, MI, Kelly (Patricia) of China, MI, Shawn (Sharon) of East China, MI, Shelly of Greensboro, NC, Garrett (Maria Bujak) of China, MI, Kenneth (Alice) of Reynoldsburg, OH, and Colleen (Duane) Smith of New Haven, MI as well as 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, his sister Alice, his brother Richard, his brother Edgar, and his grandson Dustin.
Garrett has graciously donated his remains to the Wayne State University Body Bequest Program for educational and research purposes.
A Celebration of Life will be held honoring Garrett at a later date.
Those wishing to honor Garrett are asked to donate to the YMCA of the Blue Water Area (1525 3rd Street, Port Huron MI 48060 https://bluewaterymca.com) or ACLU Michigan (https://aclumich.org) or the Humane Society of St. Clair County SNAP (6177 Fred W Moore Highway, St. Clair, MI 48079 https://humanesocietysnap.com) or the St. Clair County Animal Control (3378 Griswold Road, Port Huron, MI 48060 https://shelter.stclaircounty.org).
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