Gary Goldsmith
Gary Goldsmith
Gary Goldsmith
August 28, 1938 – April 7, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 77
Gary Goldsmith, 77, of Oskaloosa passed away Thursday afternoon, April 7, 2016, at the MHP Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Gary Erwin Goldsmith, son of Norman Frederick and Mabel Luella (Buckley) Goldsmith, was born August 28, 1938, in Davenport, Iowa.
Gary was raised on a farm near Clarence, Iowa and graduated from Clarence High School in 1956. He continued his education at Iowa State University, earning his Agriculture Degree in 1960. In September of that year, he married Martha Howe Richards and they made their home in Cedar Rapids.
Gary was employed as a foreman at the Wilson Packing Company in Cedar Rapids. In 1964, the family moved to Oskaloosa, where Gary was employed with Mahaska Veterinary Clinic as the office manager, vet’s assistant and handyman. After ten years at the clinic, Gary obtained his Real Estate license and went to work with Jake Bram in his newly formed business, Oskaloosa Real Estate Center. After many years with Jake, Gary partnered with Merle Boughton and opened United Realty Service. Gary also worked for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate with Bonnie Bailey and Connie Burke and then Professional Real Estate, which was eventually acquired by Hawkeyes Real Estate. Gary was a realtor for over 40 years, and during that time he worked as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser and a substitute mail carrier.
It was with his offer, “I can be your teacher” in June 2000, that Gary met Filomena Simokaityte, a recent immigrant from Lithuania. Romance soon blossomed and they were married, April 26, 2001. Filomena was a nurse and a massage therapist in her home country and Gary encouraged her to utilize her talents in Oskaloosa. After assisting her in getting her credentials accepted in the U.S., Filomena worked at Mahaska Health Partnership for several years. In 2007, Gary helped Filomena open her own massage business in the lower level of their new home.
Gary was a member of the First Christian Church and a former 40 year member of St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ. He had a lovely deep voice and shared his talents readily with his church families. He sang in the church choir for many years, frequently as a soloist, and in duets with his brother Ron. Gary was a member of the Elks for many years. He also liked sports of all kinds. He enjoyed church league softball, basketball at the Y and he was an excellent tennis player. When the weather allowed, he and his brother enjoyed golf three times a week.
Gary’s family includes his wife, Filomena, of Oskaloosa; a brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Mary Goldsmith of Oskaloosa; his children: Tracy Goldsmith of Grinnell, Todd Goldsmith of Oskaloosa, and Laura Cellucci of Newton; his grandchildren: Shaphen (& Randy) Brooks, Breanna (& Josh) Saunders, and Caitlin (& DJ) Jones; his great grandchildren: MaKenna, Jadin and Blaine Brooks and Trenton Saunders; his nephews: Terry Goldsmith, Scott Goldsmith, Doug Goldsmith, Mike Goldsmith and David Yutesler; and his niece, Debbie Meyer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Goldsmith Yutesler.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Andrea Brownlee officiating.
As was his wish, Gary’s body has been cremated.
Burial of his ashes will be in St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Clarence, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church.
