She is preceded in death by her parents Addison T. and Mary Miller, brother Richard Miller (LHS Class of 1949) and spouse Lawrence Richard Smith (LHS Class of 1949). Mary is survived by her sister Sue Malloy (LHS Class of 1966) of Lawrence, Kan. and her five children; Lawrence Richard Smith Jr. of Brunswick Ga., Kathy Johnston of Lenexa, Kan, Stacey Farreny of Marlton, N.J., Jeffrey Smith of Lexington Park, Md. and Kelly DiEva of Cherry Hill, N.J.. She has twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mary graduated from Leavenworth Senior High School and married her husband in 1952. Mary, like her mother, worked for the public school system in Leavenworth for many years until retiring in Forsyth, Mo.
She was an active member of the PEO Chapter and the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as Our Lady of the Ozarks Catholic Church in Forsyth, Mo. She volunteered many hours at the Forsyth Missouri Library and was an avid reader up until her death.
A memorial service will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springfield, Mo. on July 2, at 2:30 p.m. A memorial fund in Mary's name has been set up benefiting the Forsyth, Missouri Library and donations can be made out to Building Capacity Fund 162 Main Street Forsyth, MO 65653.
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Larry was born on Sunday, March 23, 1930 in Leavenworth, Kansas the seventh child of George and Mary (Connelly) Smith. He attended Leavenworth High School and the University of Kansas. In 1950, He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and served as an Electronics Technician with the 3565th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squadron at the James Connally Air Force Base, in Waco, TX. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
In August of 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Patricia Miller (LHS Class of 1952) in Leavenworth, Kansas where they made their home.
After his military service, Larry went to work for the Kaaz Woodworking Company in Leavenworth. He then went to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in El Reno, OK and Lewisburg, PA. He retired and moved to Forsyth in 1986.
Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Elks club and the National Association for Federal Retirees. He had a strong love for his family and country. His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July and he loved football and officiated many of the local games in and around Leavenworth.
He is survived by his wife Mary; two sons, Lawrence Smith and wife Lena of Brunswick, GA, Jeffrey Smith and wife Colleen of Lexington Park, MD; three daughters, Mary Johnston and husband Jeff of Lenexa, KS, Stacey Farreny and husband Michael of Marlton, NJ, Kelly DiEva and husband Robert of Cherry Hill, NJ; two sisters, Meredith Smith of Leavenworth, KS and Betty Cahill of Tallahassee, FL; twelve grandchildren and one Great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother and three sisters.
In Lieu of flowers memorial may be made in memory of Lawrence Richard Smith to the Forsyth Library or to the Humane Society of Branson Tri-Lakes area.
After his military service, Larry went to work for the Kaaz Woodworking Company in Leavenworth. He then went to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in El Reno, OK and Lewisburg, PA. He retired and moved to Forsyth in 1986.
Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Elks club and the National Association for Federal Retirees. He had a strong love for his family and country. His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July and he loved football and officiated many of the local games in and around Leavenworth.
He is survived by his wife Mary; two sons, Lawrence Smith and wife Lena of Brunswick, GA, Jeffrey Smith and wife Colleen of Lexington Park, MD; three daughters, Mary Johnston and husband Jeff of Lenexa, KS, Stacey Farreny and husband Michael of Marlton, NJ, Kelly DiEva and husband Robert of Cherry Hill, NJ; two sisters, Meredith Smith of Leavenworth, KS and Betty Cahill of Tallahassee, FL; twelve grandchildren and one Great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother and three sisters.
In Lieu of flowers memorial may be made in memory of Lawrence Richard Smith to the Forsyth Library or to the Humane Society of Branson Tri-Lakes area.
A note from Larry's daughter:
Hello Friends and Family:
Early this morning, Monday September 8, 2008, my father passed away in his home. He has suffered greatly since his illness in April and recently declined very rapidly. My mom and his partner for the past 60 years was by his side. He passed away very peacefully overlooking Lake Taneycomo. I have spoken with many of you over the phone and my mother really appreciates all of your kind words.
My father had lost so much weight this past month and really wasn't himself. He did not want a viewing, or a big funeral service. For this reason the body will be cremated. A graveside service will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery south of Springfield Missouri, a week from today, Monday September 15th at 2:00. The priest came to the home last week and gave Dad the sacrament for the annointing of the sick, and a priest will preside over the graveside service. My Dad was not one to want others to feel sorrowful or sad, so we decided versus a large memorial service or other funeral type hoopla, to have a "Celebration of Life" for my father on his favorite holiday "the Fourth of July" in 2009 here in Forsyth, Missouri (close to Branson Missouri) for all to come who want to and can.
We've heard many stories over the past few weeks of how my father has touched so many lives and it reminds us again of what a kind and devoted family man he really was. Keep sharing those stories and keep my dad alive in your hearts. We know he was met in heaven by some pretty great people (his parents and brother and sisters to mention a few).
Sincerely, Kathy
Sincerely, Kathy
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