Larry Smith, 66, of Houston, Texas, died Monday June 25, 2018. He is survived by his wife Julie Smith and his three children: Christina (Eric) Holmes, Brandie (Freddy) Breshears, and Eric O’Brien. As well as by his four grandchildren: Ashley Breshears, Carissa Holmes, Austin Holmes and Calvin Breshears. He is also survived by his brother Hermann (Sherian) Smith and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Larry was born April 22, 1952 to Francis and Sallie Smith in Oklahoma. He led a very full life and had many interests.
At the top of his list of interests was his family. He was the best father, husband, friend and person you will ever meet. Larry was a lifelong hunter and nature lover. He especially enjoyed hunting with his father, brothers, and friends. His love of nature extended to gardening, beekeeping, raising pigeons, blackberry and pecan picking. All of which he did, of course, with family and friends.
Larry was also a great dancer who never sat out on an opportunity to be on the dance floor. Countless hours were spent teaching his children to dance when they were younger. Later in life, dancing also led to his discovery of the love of his life when they met on the dance floor. They then danced through the next 25 years of their lives.
Larry was a man with a big heart. He and his wife spent many hours volunteering at Edenbrook Senior Care with weekly game night of dominos and bridge with his dad and others. His interest in helping others and making their lives better even extended beyond his own life by being an organ donor of his kidney's and liver. His life mattered.
Although his family and friends were always his top priority he managed a long and rewarding career. Of course, many of his coworkers eventually also turned into close friends that he continued to keep in touch with even after his retirement from IAH in 2015.
Larry will be tremendously missed by his surviving family and friends. Others will be overjoyed to see him again as he enters heaven. He will be greeted by his parents and two brothers Kenny and Sherman Smith who will be waiting to welcome him.
Family and friends will gather to share memories during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, where funeral services, led by Deacon Frank Davis, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel. Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 29, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine in Houston, 77055.
