Gerald Eugene Smalley, third child of Jesse Preston and Mary Ann Craig Smalley, was born on October 10, 1912, at the family farm southwest of Attica. He passed away on August 24, 2009, in Harper, Kansas at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 14 days.
Gerald attended Star Valley grade school and graduated after completing the 8th grade. He stated his Dad needed help with farming, so he gave up going to high school. Not only did he help his Dad, but he also helped his Uncle Charlie farm.
On New Year's Eve in 1933, Gerald met his future wife, Vanera Lavon Novall, in Attica, Kansas. One year later on December 31, 1934, in a midnight ceremony, they were married. To this union, two sons were born: James Paul and Charles Ray.
The family lived and farmed on various farms in the Attica and Crisfield communities. In 1953, they moved to their present farm north of Attica. Along with raising crops, cattle, and chickens, more will remember the goats that were milked and riding of burros. He always had time for his parents, in-laws, and other elderly family members. He especially liked having his picture taken with his grandchildren and later with his great grandchildren. He loved to eat at McDonald's, ordering the chicken mcnuggets happy meal, keeping the toy so the great grandchildren could play with it.
Gerald was a man of many talents. He sold cars for Riley Motor Company of Harper, and was a ringman at the Anthony and Harper livestock sales. He worked many years for Bill Starks Auction, taking bids and buying treasures. These treasures were sold earlier this year. He was a member of the Anthony Saddle Club and later was a member of the Attica Saddle Club. For a number of years, he was on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank, Savings and Loan in Kingman.
Gerald lost his beloved wife in 2006, after 71+ years of marriage. Soon afterward, he fell and broke his hip in the yard. He crawled and levered himself into the car, drove to Attica to get help from his son, Chuck, then drove to the Harper Hospital with Chuck riding along. After hip replacement surgery, he decided he wanted to enter the Attica Long Term Care and has since resided there. All through 2008, he would drive to the farm, get on a tractor and mow.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vanera, his parents, and his siblings, Sarah Emma Hood, James William and Harley Davis Smalley.
He leaves to mourn his sons and daughters-in-laws, Jim and Frances of Marion, Chuck and Cecile of Attica; five grandsons and their wives, Jeffery and Kerry of Topeka, John and Carla of Hutchinson, Gary and Sheri of Wichita, Aaron and Gail of Clearwater, and Chris and Lyndsey of Wellington; eight great grandchildren, Dylan, Hailey, Cody, Isaac, Kayleigh, Hannah, Caden, and Samuel; other relatives, neighbors and friends.
Gerald attended Star Valley grade school and graduated after completing the 8th grade. He stated his Dad needed help with farming, so he gave up going to high school. Not only did he help his Dad, but he also helped his Uncle Charlie farm.
On New Year's Eve in 1933, Gerald met his future wife, Vanera Lavon Novall, in Attica, Kansas. One year later on December 31, 1934, in a midnight ceremony, they were married. To this union, two sons were born: James Paul and Charles Ray.
The family lived and farmed on various farms in the Attica and Crisfield communities. In 1953, they moved to their present farm north of Attica. Along with raising crops, cattle, and chickens, more will remember the goats that were milked and riding of burros. He always had time for his parents, in-laws, and other elderly family members. He especially liked having his picture taken with his grandchildren and later with his great grandchildren. He loved to eat at McDonald's, ordering the chicken mcnuggets happy meal, keeping the toy so the great grandchildren could play with it.
Gerald was a man of many talents. He sold cars for Riley Motor Company of Harper, and was a ringman at the Anthony and Harper livestock sales. He worked many years for Bill Starks Auction, taking bids and buying treasures. These treasures were sold earlier this year. He was a member of the Anthony Saddle Club and later was a member of the Attica Saddle Club. For a number of years, he was on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank, Savings and Loan in Kingman.
Gerald lost his beloved wife in 2006, after 71+ years of marriage. Soon afterward, he fell and broke his hip in the yard. He crawled and levered himself into the car, drove to Attica to get help from his son, Chuck, then drove to the Harper Hospital with Chuck riding along. After hip replacement surgery, he decided he wanted to enter the Attica Long Term Care and has since resided there. All through 2008, he would drive to the farm, get on a tractor and mow.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vanera, his parents, and his siblings, Sarah Emma Hood, James William and Harley Davis Smalley.
He leaves to mourn his sons and daughters-in-laws, Jim and Frances of Marion, Chuck and Cecile of Attica; five grandsons and their wives, Jeffery and Kerry of Topeka, John and Carla of Hutchinson, Gary and Sheri of Wichita, Aaron and Gail of Clearwater, and Chris and Lyndsey of Wellington; eight great grandchildren, Dylan, Hailey, Cody, Isaac, Kayleigh, Hannah, Caden, and Samuel; other relatives, neighbors and friends.
Gerald Eugene Smalley, third child of Jesse Preston and Mary Ann Craig Smalley, was born on October 10, 1912, at the family farm southwest of Attica. He passed away on August 24, 2009, in Harper, Kansas at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 14 days.
Gerald attended Star Valley grade school and graduated after completing the 8th grade. He stated his Dad needed help with farming, so he gave up going to high school. Not only did he help his Dad, but he also helped his Uncle Charlie farm.
On New Year's Eve in 1933, Gerald met his future wife, Vanera Lavon Novall, in Attica, Kansas. One year later on December 31, 1934, in a midnight ceremony, they were married. To this union, two sons were born: James Paul and Charles Ray.
The family lived and farmed on various farms in the Attica and Crisfield communities. In 1953, they moved to their present farm north of Attica. Along with raising crops, cattle, and chickens, more will remember the goats that were milked and riding of burros. He always had time for his parents, in-laws, and other elderly family members. He especially liked having his picture taken with his grandchildren and later with his great grandchildren. He loved to eat at McDonald's, ordering the chicken mcnuggets happy meal, keeping the toy so the great grandchildren could play with it.
Gerald was a man of many talents. He sold cars for Riley Motor Company of Harper, and was a ringman at the Anthony and Harper livestock sales. He worked many years for Bill Starks Auction, taking bids and buying treasures. These treasures were sold earlier this year. He was a member of the Anthony Saddle Club and later was a member of the Attica Saddle Club. For a number of years, he was on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank, Savings and Loan in Kingman.
Gerald lost his beloved wife in 2006, after 71+ years of marriage. Soon afterward, he fell and broke his hip in the yard. He crawled and levered himself into the car, drove to Attica to get help from his son, Chuck, then drove to the Harper Hospital with Chuck riding along. After hip replacement surgery, he decided he wanted to enter the Attica Long Term Care and has since resided there. All through 2008, he would drive to the farm, get on a tractor and mow.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vanera, his parents, and his siblings, Sarah Emma Hood, James William and Harley Davis Smalley.
He leaves to mourn his sons and daughters-in-laws, Jim and Frances of Marion, Chuck and Cecile of Attica; five grandsons and their wives, Jeffery and Kerry of Topeka, John and Carla of Hutchinson, Gary and Sheri of Wichita, Aaron and Gail of Clearwater, and Chris and Lyndsey of Wellington; eight great grandchildren, Dylan, Hailey, Cody, Isaac, Kayleigh, Hannah, Caden, and Samuel; other relatives, neighbors and friends.
Gerald attended Star Valley grade school and graduated after completing the 8th grade. He stated his Dad needed help with farming, so he gave up going to high school. Not only did he help his Dad, but he also helped his Uncle Charlie farm.
On New Year's Eve in 1933, Gerald met his future wife, Vanera Lavon Novall, in Attica, Kansas. One year later on December 31, 1934, in a midnight ceremony, they were married. To this union, two sons were born: James Paul and Charles Ray.
The family lived and farmed on various farms in the Attica and Crisfield communities. In 1953, they moved to their present farm north of Attica. Along with raising crops, cattle, and chickens, more will remember the goats that were milked and riding of burros. He always had time for his parents, in-laws, and other elderly family members. He especially liked having his picture taken with his grandchildren and later with his great grandchildren. He loved to eat at McDonald's, ordering the chicken mcnuggets happy meal, keeping the toy so the great grandchildren could play with it.
Gerald was a man of many talents. He sold cars for Riley Motor Company of Harper, and was a ringman at the Anthony and Harper livestock sales. He worked many years for Bill Starks Auction, taking bids and buying treasures. These treasures were sold earlier this year. He was a member of the Anthony Saddle Club and later was a member of the Attica Saddle Club. For a number of years, he was on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank, Savings and Loan in Kingman.
Gerald lost his beloved wife in 2006, after 71+ years of marriage. Soon afterward, he fell and broke his hip in the yard. He crawled and levered himself into the car, drove to Attica to get help from his son, Chuck, then drove to the Harper Hospital with Chuck riding along. After hip replacement surgery, he decided he wanted to enter the Attica Long Term Care and has since resided there. All through 2008, he would drive to the farm, get on a tractor and mow.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vanera, his parents, and his siblings, Sarah Emma Hood, James William and Harley Davis Smalley.
He leaves to mourn his sons and daughters-in-laws, Jim and Frances of Marion, Chuck and Cecile of Attica; five grandsons and their wives, Jeffery and Kerry of Topeka, John and Carla of Hutchinson, Gary and Sheri of Wichita, Aaron and Gail of Clearwater, and Chris and Lyndsey of Wellington; eight great grandchildren, Dylan, Hailey, Cody, Isaac, Kayleigh, Hannah, Caden, and Samuel; other relatives, neighbors and friends.
Bio by: Prairie Rose Funeral Homes
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