Larry Lee Smith, 75, Atchison, died Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Atchison Senior Village after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Funeral services will be 10:00 am on Thursday, January 19th, 2017 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Abbot Barnabas Senecal, O.S.B. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Leo’s Cemetery, Horton, KS. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison Senior Village or to the ALS Foundation and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.
He was born August 28, 1941 at Horton, Kansas. He was the son of Junius and Viola E. (Schuetz) Smith. He attended St. Leo’s grade school in Horton, KS and was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church. He graduated from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham, KS in 1959. Larry attended Kansas State University and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and graduated from Emporia State Teacher’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 1963 and a Master’s degree in Education in 1965.
He and Marjorie Ann Buttron, Lancaster, Kansas, were united in marriage on September 9, 1961 in Emporia, Kansas.
He began his teaching career in Chase County Community High School in Cottonwood Falls, KS, and later moved to Atchison where he taught at USD #409, Maur Hill Prep School and Bert Nash. Larry retired from Atchison High School in 1999 after 37 years of teaching.
Larry was a past member of the Atchison Jaycees, Atchison Elks, Knights of Columbus, Atchison Teacher’s Association, Pineview Country Club, and Bellevue Country Club. After retiring from education, Larry worked part-time at the Bellevue Country Club on the course management staff for 14 years and enjoyed playing golf.
Larry enjoyed playing all sports and was an assistant football coach at Atchison High School. He was an official for basketball, football and volleyball for several years. He loved playing softball and poker with the guys.
Larry is survived by his wife, Marjorie Smith, of 55 years. Three children: Lynnette (Scott) Kracht, Marysville, KS, Lori (Rick) Bobki, Spring Hill, KS, and Scott (Susan) Smith, De Soto, KS. Grandchildren: Bryan (Ashley) Kracht, Alyssa (Andrew) Feldkamp, Andy and Mat Edwards, Madison and McKenzie Kracht, and Cody and Kyleigh Bobki. Great grandchildren: Jaxon Feldkamp, Clara Kracht and Jayden Feldkamp. Brothers: Ivan (Barbara) Smith, Lenexa, KS, and Daryl (Nadine) Smith, Whiting, KS.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, and sister-in-law, Laura Smith.