Larry Lee Smith of San Saba, Texas was welcomed in heaven on November 22, 2020, with loved ones by his side. He was born in Muskingum County, Zanesville, Ohio on August 4, 1940, the son of Carl (Bud) Smith and Lillian Summers Smith. He married Alice Stratman from Dresden, Ohio on November 17, 1962.
Larry was a graduate of Hopewell High School, Hopewell, Ohio class of 1958 and National Hardwood Lumber Inspection School in Memphis, Tenn., 1963. He was recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1968.
Larry was hired by Hipp Lumber Co. of Millersburg, OH as a Lumber Inspector. He became Foreman and then General Manager, overseeing the building of a new sawmill. In 1977, Larry moved to Gratiot, Ohio where in partnership with his brother Joe Smith they formed Smith Hardwoods Lumber Co.
Larry was extremely passionate and heavily involved in church and community activities over the years. He was an ordained minister and helped form Abundant Life Ministries in Hopewell, Ohio. He was heavily involved with mission work in Mexico where he built two bible colleges made many trips ministering, praying and helping the Mexican people. In 2006 he moved to San Saba, Texas to be closer to his mission work.
Larry was an officer in Men’s Full Gospel Fellowship; lay leader and speaker in United Methodist churches in Ohio; Lifelong member of NRA. He was an avid hunter and sportsman. He enjoyed teaching others how to hunt, building tree stands, and hunting in both Ohio and Texas. He will be remembered for the love, generosity and caring he gave to all people he met. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Carl (Bud) and Lillian Smith, infant children, James Carl and Tamara Lee.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Alice; daughters Jennifer (Bill) Crothers, Gratiot, Ohio and Lisa (Chris) Miller of Gahanna, Ohio. Granddaughter, Michelle (Jim) Kang, Franklin, Tenn. Great grandchildren, Madison and Camden Kang. Sister, Flora Noland, Dresden, Ohio; Brother, Joseph (Janice) Smith, Hopewell, Ohio.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Larry on Saturday, December 5th at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church San Saba, 208 W. Wallace St., San Saba, TX 76877. Additional services will be held later in Ohio and Mexico. To view entire obituary, go to www.heritagefuneraltx.com.
In leu of flowers, donations can be made in Larry’s memory to Abundant Life Ministries, P.O. Box 58, San Saba, TX 76877 for Mexico Missions.
