Larry Dean Smith

Larry was born into a family of Artisan Plasterers, his father and uncles all did plaster work for generations, and were known for the quality of their work. He worked with family, which could be challenging at times, but also rewarding. He got his start in Plastering by working with his uncle, CK Smith. Larry was working with CK when his father and brother started a plaster company of their own "Smith & Sons Plastering." He was very loyal to CK, and didn't go work with his father and brother right away. But when he did, he became a master artisan plasterer and spent several years working alongside his brother's Kenvin and David Smith who managed the company. Larry was a hard worker, and would rather work than sit around. Lazy was not a word that applied to him.

He was also an artist and mentor to many people. He was very interested in art in high school, he liked to do sculptures in clay and made many figurines that he would give to other family members. Plastering was a natural extension of his love for the artistic, and what he became best known for.

He loved his family very much. He loved his wife, his sons, daughter and seven grandkids. He worked hard to make sure that they were always taken care of, and that they had a work ethic instilled.

He was a very chatty and friendly person. He was nice to everyone he met. He cared about other people a lot, and had a quirky sense of humor.

Larry was also a scoutmaster of troop 714 in Wichita. He worked with all three sons to get them into scouting and helped his eldest Nick achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout, which is a huge accomplishment. In his younger years, he enjoyed camping with the boy scouts once a month, and was quite a fire bug - not a little fire, a big campfire or bonfire was what he was known for.

He went on father and daughter events for the girl scouts with his daughter, and not to be left out, made sure they had bonfires too; they even got into a little bit of trouble and had to tamper down one of the fires.

He worked his whole life up to the very end. Just before passing, he was enjoying projects that he worked on, and never tired of the work he did, even when it was demanding. He always wore a white hat and was recognised all over town, he also wore the traditional white coveralls of those who work in the plastering and finishing field.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, David Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cheri; sister, Verna Asbel; brother, Kevin Smith; children, Nicholas (Christine) Smith, Brandon Smith, Adam (Amanda) Smith, and Suzanne Smith; and grandchildren, Skyler, Mason, Anmaree, Fern, Gordon, Sunny, and Karma.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 5-8 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 West 13th Street North, Wichita, KS 67203. A celebration of life will be held at the same location on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at noon at White Chapel Cemetery, 1806 N. Oliver St., Wichita, KS 67208.