Larry Thomas Smith b.02/09/1952 was summoned to Heaven by our Lord in the early morning hours of September 9th, 2016 after waging a courageous battle against cancer.

“Smitty”, as he was lovingly referred to by his friends and family, was allowed 64 years on this Earth which he spent purposefully and with dedication, kindness, and love.

As a young man with a sense of duty to his country, he enlisted in the Air Force in which he proudly served 4 years as active duty personnel, directly followed by over 20 years in the Air National Guard. Concurrent with Larry’s Air National Guard service was the beginning of his 37 year career with the United States Postal Service.

As a devoted family man, his marriage to his true love and soulmate, Linda Leah Smith, celebrated its 32nd year on August 22, 2016. The complete family life he so dearly deserved was finally realized on March 26th, 1999 with the birth of Larry and Linda’s beloved son, Kyle Thomas Smith.

Smitty was well suited and prepared for fatherhood as he developed unwavering bonds with his nephews and nieces. Nephews and nieces who view him as a father before an uncle.

This devotion to family was also evident in his relationships with his sister in law, brother in law, and mother in law. The “in law” could easily be omitted from each as it is not needed.

Smitty moved his mother to Arnold in her later years so he could take care of any need she may have had, and to allow her to develop a deeper relationship with her daughter in law and grandson. He also maintained a deep bond with his brother throughout all of these years and held a special place in his heart for his sister.

Larry never met a stranger, denied a favor asked, or offered complaints. He treated every individual he met with kindness and respect. Negativity was a term that was simply not in his vocabulary.

While in today’s times the definition of what a man is and how a man carries himself may be subjective and open to many, Smitty did not allow this to alter his definition; Love and support your family above all. Work as hard and as much as you’re able. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Complain about nothing. Offer assistance without hesitation. Always keep your word.

It seemed that Larry never had to struggle with these tasks. Of course that’s because he didn’t view them as tasks. They simply are Larry.

Larry Smith will be loved and missed by Linda, Kyle, Ron, Colin, Brian, Aren, Kory, Steffany, Grandma Shirley, John, and Marilyn. We were truly blessed the day he entered our lives and every day thereafter. Let us rejoice in the fact that Larry is now in the eternal presence of our Heavenly Father.