Gary Milton Smith was born on 15 March 1943, in Payette, Idaho to Milton F. and Lillian Raby Smith. He attended Idaho State University and Utah State University. He graduated from Utah State University in 1967 and began graduate school the following year where he pursued his degree in Outdoor Recreation, specializing in Environmental Public Affairs. His thesis involved the production of a slide and film promotion presentation on the Mt. Naomi Wilderness Area. In the summer during his university education, as well as after his graduation, Gary wokred as a forest ranger, naturalist, and various other positions in national forests and parks.
On 4 July 1969, Gary Milton Smith married Lillian Francuz in Idaho Falls, Idaho. That same year he joined the Marine Corps where he attained the rank of captain. Gary remained on active duty until 1972. As a Marine, Gary served in Quantico, Virginia where he worked as the Associate Editor of the Marine Corps Gazette, was the Special Projects Officer at the Basic School, and designed an exhibit on the Basic School and combat photography. He also served as the Public Affairs Officer in Okinawa, Japan. He graduated from the Department of Informational Defense School in 1970. In 1972, Gary received a Presidential Commendation for oustanding military service.
One of Gary Smith's occupations was as a song writer. He wrote music and lyrics for songs which he used in his jobs with the National Forest Service and his work as an environmentalist. In 1975, Gary published a book about his songs entitled Windsinger. One of his songs, "Dick's Song," was used by CBS in a 60-Minutes program concerning Lake Powell. Gary along with Robert Redford and representative of the Environmental Defense Fund took part in his program.
In 1975, Gary stopped his graduate school training after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He continued, however, writing articles for magazines and newspapers on environmental and social issues. He became active in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, playing benefit concerts on behalf of the organization. In 1979, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society awarded Gary Smith the Patient Achievement Award for his region. Gary also served on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1980, he was recognized as Conservationist of the Year by the Bridgerland Audubon Society, and in 1984, he was given the Bridger Award for Outstanding Service to Conservation by the Natural Resources Department at Utah State University.
In 1981, Gary Smith went back to graduate school and received his Masters of Science in REcreational Resource Management in 1984. His thesis was entitled, "The Myster Song: A Walk with Masawe." That year he and Lillian divorced. Four years later, on 7 April 1988, Gary Milton Smith died. He was buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho.
The Gary Milton Smith Collection consists of papers collected and/or written by him. The papers cover roughly the time period between 1965 and 1988. The Smith papers included newspaper clippings, articles, letters to and from various organization or government offices, and transcripts for documentary films in which Smith took part. The music and lyrics for his songs are also among Smith's papers. There are résumés and financial records from both Smith's personal and business (Windsinger Enterprise) life. Manuals and employee information from his work in the National Forest Service and the military are also included in these papers. The collection also contains cassette tapes with recorded interviews, radio programs, telephone conversation, etc.
The Smith collection is notable for the documentation on environement issues from Smith's life such as Kaiparowits, the Salmon River Wilderness Area, and the Escalante Wilderness Area. There is also documentation on wildlife access for disabled persons. Smith's papers also provide information on life in Cache Valley, especially on religious issues. His papers include general religious information from the area, as well as religious freedom issues and religious discrimination cases.
Many of the letters and other papers lack specific dates. The collection is organized alphabetically in files and at times chronoligically. Financial papers, class notes, and cassettes are located at the end of the collection. The first part contains most of his personal papers and clippings regarding environmental and religious issues. Researchers interested in viewing photographs taken by Gary Smith should see USU Special Collections & Archives; PO106: The Gary Smith Photograph Collection.
Box 1-19: Subject Files
Box 20-24: Current Project Files
Box 25: National Geographic Society Article: Utah Rock Art
Box 26-31: Articles and Letters
Box 32-34: Personal Correspondence
Box 35: Canyonlands National Park
Box 36: Information on an Ecology Documentary by ABC Television
Box 37: Thesis: “The Mystery Song”
Box 38-40: Forest Naturalist
Box 41-50: Windsinger Enterprise
Box 51-54: Personal Finances
Box 55-58: Finances
Box 59: Freedom House
Box 60-62: Red Baron
Box 63-69: Class Notes
Box 70-73: Military Experience
Box 74-76: Miscellaneous Files
Box 77: Oversized Material
Box 78-79: Cassette Tapes
Box 80: Record album by Gary Smith; Windsinger: Take One (two copies).