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Gary Niles Goldsmith of Powell, Wyoming, passed away at home July 18, 2025. Gary was born Feb. 14, 1945 in Waukegan, Illinois, to Theodore (Ted) Goldsmith and Ruth Niemi.
He graduated from John Muir High School, Pasadena, California, and went on to serve two years (1963-1965) in the United States Marine Corps. Following an honorable discharge, Gary went on to graduate from the Glendale Police Academy, Glendale, California. For more than a decade, he served many communities as a police officer. Following his marriage to Cheryl Davis in 1976 in Reno, Nevada, the couple opened The Powderhorn Cafe in Grants Pass, Oregon, and had three daughters: Carrie, Geri Beth and Jamie.
After the tragic death of his Geri Beth, he relocated to California where he met the love of his life, Judy Bramhall. Gary was a restaurateur; living in many states before settling in Powell, Wyoming, with his beloved companion Judy. They spent a lovely 38 years together, enjoying their favorite hobbies: hunting, fishing, traveling, boating, thrifting and creating art. Gary was a true outdoorsman, passing every skill he could to anyone he could, and living his life fully. He especially loved teaching his grandkids; anything from fixing cars to catching fish to making venison jerky. Gary had a silly sense of humor, and held space for kids to be their silliest selves from the moment they were born. He never met a stranger, and could be counted on to make a friend while sitting on a bench in a town he’d never been to before. Gary was truly the glue of his family, and is still bringing them together from beyond.
Gary is survived by his life mate Judy in Powell, Wyoming, his brother Burton and wife Carol Goldsmith (Albuquerque, New Mexico), his brother Todd Goldsmith (Sunnyvale, California), his eldest daughter Carrie Goldsmith and her partner Mike Hardiman (Bremerton, Washington), his youngest daughter Jamie and her husband Michael Moeini (Las Vegas, Nevada), seven grandchildren: Steven Goldsmith, Audrey Domes, Vanessa Moeini, Ellie Hardiman, Howard Klepzig, Cullen Klepzig and Veronica Moeini, his nieces and nephews, and friends all over the country.
Gary joins his parents, his brother Lee Goldsmith, and his daughter Geri Beth Goldsmith, who were called home before him.
A private family burial will take place in the Yellowstone National Cemetery, Laurel, Montana.
Family will receive friends at the home at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025. In lieu of flowers or other physical sentiments, the family asks donations be made to the American Indian College Fund or to the National Police Defense Foundation in Gary’s honor.
