Gerald Smith

Gerald Smith, 79, of Mt. Vernon, SD, died Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Per Gerald’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gerald James Smith was born November 5, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA to Gerald S. and Irene (Wilkinson) Smith. As a small child he moved to Mesa, AZ with his grandparents, and received his education there from Arizona State University. He married Barbara Kay Green in Mesa on November 3, 1961. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2021.

Gerald received his license as a certified public accountant in 1966. In 1970, with 3 small children in tow, they moved to South Dakota searching for a better place to raise their family, and a more rural lifestyle. In 1981, he decided to open his own accounting office, first in Mt. Vernon then in Mitchell. With assistance from Barb, they gave their many clients personal, professional accounting services. After a heart attack in 2014, Gerald retired after having been a CPA for over 50 years. Retirement was not exactly as he had hoped, but he found pleasure in his vast library. He most wanted to be respected not for his house or his car or his clothes, but for his great desire to understand the universe and “what was really there” and for his remarkable ability to study, learn, and speak dozens of other languages.

Gerald was a past president of Kiwanis Club, treasurer of Mitchell Pre-historic Indian Village, and a member of the Mt. Vernon School Board for nine years (president). Gerald is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Gwynnevere Smith of Cape Coral, FL and Deirdre Mahin of Lincoln, KS; son, David K. Smith of Seaford, DE, and survived by 4 grandchildren, Kailtyn Mahin, Braden Mahin, Brett Mahin, and Kristen Mahin.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Vinsant; aunt, Vera Jacovelli; his grandparents; and his faithful companion of 15 years, his dog Shunka.