Larry "Joe" O'Neil Smyre

Born May 7, 1929, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Ralph Russell Smyre and Ina Belle Travis Smyre. He was a member of Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Newton, NC, and had retired as an upholsterer in the furniture industry. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp., having served from 1946-1948.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his two sisters, Imogene Dellinger and Shirley Smyre; and great-grandson, Jonathan Smyre.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 62 years, Katie Hunt Smyre, of the home; sons, Larry R. Smyre and wife, Judy, of Claremont, Nicky J. Smyre and wife, Kay, of Hickory; sister, Ann Lutz of Hickory; five grandchildren, Amy Smyre Fox and husband, Alan, Jody R. Smyre and wife, Kristy, Michael E. Smyre, and wife, Pam, Steven K. Smyre and wife, Jessica, and Tiffany Smyre; Thirteen great-grandchildren, Trysta, Rebekah, Devyion, Zachary, Braeden, Ryan, Joben, Michael, Jr., Nathan, Dillon, Kaitlyn, Andi, and Jenna; and special friends Tanya Smyre and Misty Smyre.

A service of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Reverend Robert Sain officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by Catawba County Marine Corp League.

The family will receive friends from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. prior to the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the Smyre family request that memorials be made to Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2035 Old Conover-Startown Rd., Newton, NC 28658, or to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658, or to Trinity Village, 1265 21st Street, NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

The family would like to thank Hospice nurse Sabrina Cook and also the staff of Trinity Village for their wonderful care of Joe during his declining health.