Vernon Smith
January 24, 1963 ~ February 12, 2024
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Vernon D. Smith, 61, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Gettysburg School Gym, with Pastor Jeff Adel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior.
Everyone is welcome to wear Battler gear, an old uniform, or dress comfortably.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, Brookings, with Pastor Pete Grassow presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, White, SD.
Vernon Duane Smith was born January 24, 1963, in Hendricks, Minnesota, the youngest of nine children born to Norman and Katie (Bruns) Smith. Vernon grew up on a farm near White, SD, and he received his primary education in Deubrook, graduating with the class of 1981. Vern went on to attend Dakota State College in Madison, SD, graduating in 1986 with degrees in accounting and business education.
In 1987, Vernon moved to Gettysburg, SD where he started his career as a teacher for the Gettysburg School System. He served many years as an assistant football coach, junior high boys basketball coach, and assistant track coach. He later became the athletic director, and the head coach for both football and track. Vern was in his 37th year of teaching and coaching when he was diagnosed with cancer which led to his retirement in September of 2023.
In July of 1990, Vernon was united in marriage to Nancy Simmons.
Vernon has dedicated his life to his family and his school and students. Any way he was able to help them whether in a classroom, on a basketball court, track, or football field, you could always count on Vern. He also was an exceptional community member. He volunteered where he was needed. Vern loved to give of his time and keep himself busy. He was an active member of the SDHSCA, SDFBCA, SDCCTFCA, GTA, and SDIAAA.
Faith was an important part of Vern’s life as well. He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he gave of his time and many talents.
Being outdoors was a love of Vern’s. He enjoyed countless hours driving the countryside scouting for deer and hunting, watching sports - especially watching his children participate, and socializing. No matter where he went, there was someone he knew. He even learned how to use a sewing machine, learning to mend football uniforms just because it interested him.
Vern’s life will forever be cherished by his wife, Nancy; children: Katrina of Gettysburg, Lucas of White, and Aaron of Gettysburg; brother, Steven (Judy) Smith, White; sisters: Norma Krogman, Elkton, SD, Shirley Leisinger, Lebanon, OR, Arlene (Rick) Robbins, Wheatland, WY, and Nancy Johnson, Abilene, TX; sisters-in-law: Carol Smith, Elkton, SD, Rose Simmons, Sandy, UT, Cheryl (Doug) Beste, Brookings, SD, Linda Simmons Patrick, Aurora, SD, and Jan Simmons, Wayne, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Norman and Katie Smith; brothers: Virgil, Calvin, and Arven Smith; brothers-in-law: Don Krogman, Alvin Leisinger, Kermith Johnson, and Neil Simmons; sister-in-law, Betty Smith; nephew, Brad Smith, and mother and father-in-law: Loren and Lois (Aaberg) Simmons.
Memorials in honor of Vern may be directed to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr, Gettysburg, SD 57442 or to the Vern Smith Memorial Fund, which will be established at First Interstate Bank, 111 N. East St, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Vern’s arrangements.
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My condolences to the family of Vern in this tough time. I always enjoyed conversing with him whenever our paths crossed at various sporting events. Vern will now have a permanent front row seat to all sporting events. Rest in peace and God Bless your family.
Sending condolences & hugs to Verns family, GHS, & friends. As the angels greet him as he entered heavens gates, he'll now continue to be your protector, also. He fought a brave fight. But it is so sad he had to be on his cancer journey. God bless you.
We all know what a dedicated sports coach and teacher Vern was, but he was a devoted father and husband. After a summer football scrimmage, the football team was eating supper together and I brought cookies. He asked if he could take a few home. He was on foot, so he walked from the football field to his house carrying cookies to take home for Nancy and Katrina. He wanted to share a treat with them! I love that story about Vern.
With very heavy heart for Vern's family, we pray for God's loving arms to wrap you in comfort.
May Vern truly rest in peace!
Jim and Ladonna Schneider
Nancy and family – I am so sorry for your loss. He fought a good fight and leaves you with so many happy memories. I had the pleasure of being his student and working with him at GHS and he had a positive impact on me in both roles. Thinking of you in this time of sadness.
My deepest sympathy to the Smith famly, the Simmons family, their friends, his students, teams and community.
Vern had a huge impact on my love for sports and competitive spirit toward life. May God bless your soul and welcome you into his kingdom!
Prays to the the family and community of Vern Smith. Thoughts and prayers go out to you all in this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy for the loss of Coach Smith. He arrived Fall of 1987, my sophomore year, as assistant football coach, coaching defense. A quiet soul as he was basically just starting his career. Fond memories on the gridiron (a favorite was his calls of 4-3 Normal and Stunt 2 with a twist… makes me chuckle) but also in his classes of accounting, psychology. He will be missed greatly. I had the pleasure of “running” into him at Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls a few years ago. He was the same humble, strong man I first met on the football field all those years ago. It was great getting to catch up with him a bit before we went our separate ways. I wish I could be there for the services tomorrow. Please know that thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and their entire family. May God wrap you all in His infinite Love and Mercy! Eternal Rest grant into Vern O’Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. Through the Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may Vern’s soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed, Rest in Peace.
Vern was a picture of the type of person that should wear the title "Coach". His impact, on those he mentored through the years, will be felt for generations. Heaven cheered when he arrived.