Gilbert Ray Smith, 72, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away surrounded by his family in Toledo Hospital on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Gilbert was born in Borden, Indiana, on February 20, 1953, to Kenneth and Anna (Niemeier) Smith, but he lived most of his life in Louisville, Kentucky. He began his career at the Fischer Meat Packing Plant in Louisville before joining the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) as a contract negotiator and representative. He eventually moved to Northwest Ohio in 2001 and worked for UFCW Local 75, retiring as its Director of Packing and Processing in 2022. It was along this northward journey that Gilbert met his future wife, Debbie, whom he married on November 10, 2007.

Despite living in the Midwest for two decades, Gilbert never lost his southern charm and hospitality. He treated everyone, even those he just met, like they were family. Known for his good-natured humor, he often greeted people with a cheerful “Howdy” and loved giving them a hard time, always with a grin and a laugh. He was a passionate believer in workers’ rights, and he fought tirelessly for better wages and safer working conditions, making sure that everyone he represented was treated with dignity and fairness. Gilbert enjoyed spending his weekends going to garage sales, where he had a keen eye for hidden treasures and an uncanny knack for haggling a good deal. Gilbert and Debbie’s favorite thing in the world was traveling on ocean cruises to exotic tropical locations. Together, they explored most of the Caribbean Sea aboard their happy place. But above all Gilbert loved spending time with his family and adored watching it grow.

Gilbert leaves behind his wife, Debbie (Ramer) Smith; children, Stephanie (Eric) Bowles, Steven Smith; stepchildren, Bethany (Kevin) Moore, Ryan Dye, and Courtney (Robert) Dye; 15 grandchildren, Kaylee, Hannah, Michael, Aubree, Bella, Natalee, Ellis, Tessa, Memphis, Eden, Irie, Layla, Maryn “MJ”, Coraline, and Violet; and three great-grandchildren, Acelynn, Casey, and Kyser; brother, Kenneth E. (Linda) Smith, sister, Pam (Tommy) Fink; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother Anna and Paul Wilson, father Kenneth H. Smith; sister, Dorothy “Dottie” (Walter) Bohannon; brother, Leon Smith; and his grandson, Cameron.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, September 4th, at 11:00 am at CedarCreek Church | South Toledo Campus located at 2150 S. Byrne Road, Toledo. A luncheon will follow. 

Gilbert’s family would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff of the Toledo Hospital 6th Floor Cardiac Unit.

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