Larry Smith

Larry F. Smith, 84 died October 5, 2022, in Clay Center, KS.  He was born on June 27, 1938, at Fort Riley, the son of Francis and Edna (Rand) Smith.  Larry was a graduate with honors from Agenda High School in Agenda, KS.  He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Lovendahl, in July 1956.  In November 1956, Larry joined the Air Force and served for 20 years, retiring in 1977 as a Senior Master Sergeant.  He was named Airman of the Year two consecutive years.  He received the Airman’s Medal for heroism, the highest peace-time award, for saving men from a burning jet.  Larry was also received three Oak Leaf Clusters on his Air Medal for his 63 known Viet Nam air missions.  While in the Air Force, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Alaska and a Master of Science degree while in Evanston, Il.  After retiring from the Air Force, Larry worked for AT&T for 15 years writing training manuals.  He is preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Compton, his parents, and a sister.

Survivors:

Wife: Marilyn Smith, of Clay Center, KS

Son: Dennis and wife Charlene Smith of Sterling, AK

Daughter: Paula and husband Joe Reeds of Ballwin, MO

Eldest Granddaughter: Erica Compton, daughter of Susan Compton

6 Grandchildren and 10 Great-grandchildren

Funeral Services: 10 AM Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS

Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Clyde, KS

Visitation: 9 AM until service time October 11, at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home

Memorials:  A Mural Movement with checks made out to CCCIF or online at Make a Donation | Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation (claycentercif.org) c/o the funeral home