Gordon D. Smith

Gordon D. Smith, age 87, of Lyons passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on April 18. Born on September 22, 1937, to Harold and Maude Smith of Williamston, MI. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of 55 years, daughter, Erica and her 3 children, Nicole and husband Brandon, Rachel and Lance and great grandson Fletcher.  Survived by son, Brad and his wife Valerie and their 6 children – Kyla, Joash, Josiah, Joel, Benjamin and Asher.  Survived by son Justin and his wife, Jeanne, and their 2 children, Kyle and bride to be Jordyn, and Jake and his wife Riley.  He is also survived by his sister Janet and many nieces and nephews.

Gordon was a successful restauranteur and businessman. In Michigan he owned and operated the Peanut Barrel in East Lansing and Gordon’s Seagrille and Maude’s Parlor in Lansing. He was a partner with G&G Catering that operated commissaries at the Lansing Oldsmobile plant.

He and Carol met when they both worked at the Howard Johnson regional office in Chicago. He was the regional Vice President for the Midwest division consisting of 14 states and Carol was Office Manager. He developed a very successful chain for Howard Johnsons called the Ground Round. He left to develop his own chain of restaurants called Jacks or Better in the St. Louis, Missouri area with a group of partners. It was after that venture that they moved to Michigan where they found land on water and built their home up on the hill overlooking the Grand River. He continued to oversee several restaurant operations until he retired from restaurant operations and delved into commercial real estate until finally retiring when he was 62.

He loved spending time with his boys hunting and fishing and especially their annual Spring trip to Sugar Island for the perch run. His good friends Lyle and Elmer joined as well.

Even though he was a successful  businessman he never forgot his humble beginnings being raised on a farm in Williamston.  He had the gift of gab and made friends everywhere. Everyone loved “Gordy.”

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Gordon.

The visitation will take place at Lehman Funeral Home, 210 East Bridge Street, on Monday, April 28, 2025 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Portland Cemetery. The luncheon will follow at the Wagon Wheel American Grill, 7888 East Grand River Avenue, Portland. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon D. Smith, please visit our floral store.