Geoffrey P. Smith

     Geoffrey Paul Smith, 62, of Judith Gap, Montana passed away on July 31, 2021. Geoff was born in Havre, Montana on July 22, 1959 to the Reverend Warren Paul Smith and Marjorie S. (Smith) Smith. Throughout his youth he moved with his parents as they served rural churches throughout North Central and Northwestern Montana, finally settling in Dillon Montana in the early 1980s.   Geoff graduated from Ronan High School in 1977 and earned a teaching degree from Western Montana College in Dillon. From 1986 through 2019 he taught math and science at Miles City (Pine Hills), Denton, Outlook, Phillipsburg, and Judith Gap, Montana, retiring after 22 years at Judith Gap where he also coached and drove bus. He kept current on the lives of many of his former students to his end of life.

     From the summer of 1988 through the summer of 2019, Geoff enjoyed recurring summer employment at The University of Montana Western in the Continuing Education office (now known as The School of Outreach). Geoff was the consummate "guy Friday" for Continuing Education activities. He performed various office tasks, helped set up for events (including providing pink shag carpet for decorating the boss's office), drove bus for kids' and Elderhostel field trips and provided much appreciated historical and scientific side notes to instructor's lectures. He was always considerate of each person and was adept at anticipating individual needs, to include making sure, just in case, to have extra coats and gloves with him. Elderhostel participants provided many comments about Geoff's knowledge and kindness.

     Over the years as Elderhostel (now known as Road Scholar) programs became more focused in Yellowstone Park, Geoff spent most of his summer employment in the Park, driving bus, helping coordinate programs and being a hiker helper. Geoff was a consummate punster with a fun sense of humor, always ready with a witty quip that he sometimes had to explain, which he did patiently. In retirement during the Covid-19 pandemic Geoff worked odd jobs occasionally, in the summer of 2021, started part time work at the Bair Family museum in Martinsdale, which was interrupted by his death on July 31, 2021.

     Geoff was well known in his circle of friends for his lifelong collection of memorabilia and interesting items of all sorts, and for his astonishing ability to remember where it all was and all the details associated with it. He was also known for his love of vintage motorcycles and vehicles, all of which he named, some of which still run, and most of which still ran when he discovered them. His enjoyment of those seemed to increase as their mileage accumulated and they needed more attention, and he was not extremely bothered when during one of his innumerable road trips he found himself needing a tow.

     He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Barry Smith, all of Dillon Montana. He has no surviving immediate family aside from his cat, Karma.

     A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 11 o'clock at the Judith Gap United Methodist Church. His remains will be laid to rest near his parents and brother in a graveside service at noon the following day (August 29) at Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon, Montana.  

     Friends are asked to make memorials University of Montana Western School of Outreach Road Scholar Program, Judith Gap United Methodist Church, Judith Gap Volunteer Fire and EMS or to the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Perkins Funeral Home, PO Box 313 Harlowton, MT 59036. Condolences for the family may be posted on-line at www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com