Lawrence 'Larry' F. Smith, 79
Lawrence "Larry" F. Smith, 79, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on Dec. 31, 1929, at St. Albans, Vt., to Merald H. and Mabel (Austin) Smith.
Larry served his country in the Korean War as a forward weather observer, going deep behind enemy lines to send accurate and up-to-date weather information to Air Force bombers on bombing missions.
After his service ended he studied electrical engineering at the University of Vermont. Larry worked and retired from the Corps of Engineers. Larry moved to Alaska in 1964, just in time for the big earthquake.
He was a real explorer and bush pilot, covering nearly every inch of Alaska flying in his plane or navigating his river boat. Several times Larry had to trek out of the tundra on foot. Being an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed both fishing and hunting, and he made it back without incident, a real survivor.
Larry married his loving wife, Val Leffel Smith, on Aug. 17, 2007, in Kalispell.
He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church. He loved American history and was unstoppable on the dance floor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Larry was preceded in death by his sister, Ramona Regan.
He is survived by his wife, Val Smith, of Kalispell; two brothers, Francis Smith and wife, Gloria, of Columbia Falls, and Howard Smith and wife, Sam, of Vermont; two sisters, Marilyn Ashton and Fern Smith, both of Vermont; an aunt, Marvis Lee, also of Vermont; a niece, Wendy, and nephew, Jay, and their spouses and children.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Kalispell, with Pastor David Pestel officiating. Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be given to the Flathead Food Bank, 105 Sixth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; or the Flathead Shelter Friends Inc., P.O. Box 567, Lakeside, MT 59922.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Larry's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Larry's guest book.