Bowling Hall of Fame

Gary Smith was arguably the most skilled bowler in area history. He threw 26 perfect games, including four in Professional Bowlers Association competition and additional 300s in the Peoria City, Illinois State and nationally televised ABC Masters tournaments. He authored four 800 series, with a high of 847. He also won four PBA regional championships.

Gary grew up in the Chicago suburbs and arrived in Peoria to attend Bradley University in 1971. There, he became a fixture on the lanes in the basement of the Student Center and joined the BU club bowling team

Over the next 50 years, Gary anchored countless league championship teams. He was an original captain in the prestigious local Masters League. His work resume reads like a history of Peoria bowling: Auto Parts Bowl, Pleasure Island, Crossroads Lanes, Landmark Lanes. He also owned Smitty’s Pro Shop.

Gary died on December 8, 2024. He was 71. At the time of his death, the Peoria River City Bowling Association posted on Facebook that Gary’s “impact on the sport was immeasurable.”