Gordon Brock Smith

Gordon Brock Smith was a great father and friend who was born on October 26, 1947 in Iowa, but grew up in Nebraska.  He graduated from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, although he was only there a short time.  That was a complete contrast to the very tiny schools he attended up to that point in Nebraska.    After graduating from Purdue with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1970, Lieutenant Smith served in the United States Army briefly.  He, and his lovely wife Phyllis (Purdue University 1969), were able to experience the world during his service in Europe and the east coast.   He was an electrical engineer for over thirty years for one company with many names (Indiana Bell, Ameritech, SBC, and AT&T).  He was smart (frugal) with his money and was able to comfortably retire when he was 57.

After his time in the army ended, he and Phyllis started (continued) a family and helped support their extended families on the east side of Indianapolis and in New Palestine.  He loved to read, learn, and teach.  Although he didn’t play baseball, he expanded his knowledge of it and helped teach a generation of pitchers (including his son) at Warren Little League.  He was never afraid to teach himself something and always wanted to help others.

He also loved to fix and to build.  One of his more audacious projects was installing an in-ground pool with no prior knowledge of pools.  It wasn’t as easy as initially anticipated, but that project is still paying dividends 30 years later.  It was in his nature to make things better.  He enjoyed the process of repairing and building more than just relaxing like a typical person.

His marriage started with military travel, and his passion for travelling continued his entire life.   He enjoyed taking his family on many vacations.  He especially enjoyed travelling with his wife.  Hawaii, Key West, the Caribbean were some of their favorite trips.  Another of his passions was Purdue.  He was a passionate Boiler alumnus and fan.  It was difficult for him to watch the games because they stressed him out.

Probably one of the more common things that come to mind in regard to Gordon was his sense of humor.   While it was great, he could be awkward and occasionally unintentionally funny.  Some of his greatest hits were of this unintended nature.  He was always a good sport, and happy to make others laugh, even if wasn’t by design.   His humor was endearing, and he has many jokes and stories that will be re-told as long as his heirs live.  He loved to tell stories and didn’t mind if you had heard them before.

He was a person who genuinely took joy in the happiness and success of others.  More than anything, this is what defined him.  He is survived by his wife Phyllis, a couple of kids, more than a half dozen grand kids, a trio of great grandkids, and a lot of stories and memories that will be told, and re-told, just like he used to do.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation using the following link – Parkinson’s Foundation Donation Link.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2021 from 12-2PM with funeral services to begin at 2PM at Flanner Buchanan – Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229. Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.