Obituary for Larry Smith

Ponca City Now - August 26, 2019 4:28 pm

Larry Alfred Smith

March 24, 1935 – August 25, 2019

Larry Alfred Smith of Ardmore, Oklahoma, died Sunday morning, August 25, 2019, in the Mercy Hospital in Ardmore at the age of 84 years.

Larry Alfred Smith was born on March 24, 1935, in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, to Chester A. and Lola Geraldine (McGuinn) Smith. He grew up in Tonkawa and graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1953. He furthered his education by attending Oklahoma State University where he received a bachelor’s degree. Following his education he worked for Conoco in Ponca City for a short time before working as a recruiter for the Boy Scouts of America. He married Phyllis Vandagriff and in 1960 began a career as a city manager in South Texas. He later moved to Dumas, Texas, where he began a twenty-six year career as city manager. He married Barbara Smith Butcher on November 11, 1995, in Miami, Oklahoma, and they continued living in Dumas until his retirement in 1998. Following retirement they moved to Blackwell to make their home, before moving to Ardmore in 2003, to be near family. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ardmore and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith of Ardmore; a step-daughter, Stacey Moore of Ardmore; two sons, Jeffrey Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Danny Smith of Arlington, Texas; two step-sons, Larry Smith of Katy, Texas, and Michael Smith of Houston, Texas; a twin brother, Jerry Smith of Aransas Pass, Texas; six grandchildren, Joel Herren of Oklahoma City, Spencer Moore of Boston, Massachusetts, Hartlyn Smith of Sunray, Texas, Preston Moore of Ardmore, Brayson Smith of Sunray, Texas, and Sydney Moore of Ardmore; and a great granddaughter, Scottlyn Frische of Sunray, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Greg Smith; and a brother, Monte Smith.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 31st in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Cap McIlnary of the First United Methodist Church officiating.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Alheimer’s Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.