Larry Smith

Larry D. Smith age 73 of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away unexpectedly on November 25, 2020 at his home.

Larry was born in Seattle, Washington on January 17, 1947 to William Chester “Chet” and Margaret E. (Smith) Smith.  The Smith family relocated to Wichita, Kansas where Larry attended school and graduated from Wichita East High School in 1965.  In 1966 Larry enlisted in the U S Army where he was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for Pershing Missiles training. Upon completing his training, he was stationed in Germany, until his honorable discharge in 1969.

After his discharge Larry stayed with his sister, Linda and brother-in-law, Larry in Buffalo, New York.  Larry met his future wife, Pat Tate soon after arriving in Buffalo.  Wedding bells rang soon after in August of 1969.  The couple later settled in Dearing, Kansas where they raised their two children, Jenny and Douglas.  Though their union dissolved their friendship and loving support for their children did not.

Larry and his wife, Rosalie just celebrated their 24th Wedding Anniversary.  Larry met Rosalie Springer and they became a blended family in August of 1996, the couple has made their home in Coffeyville.

Larry worked in the oil fields after his discharge from the army and started as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service and completed his career as the Postmaster in Sedan, Kansas, retired in 2002.  Larry was a volunteer fire fighter of Dearing Fire Department serving as Chief from 1976-1983.  He was an active member of the Keystone Lodge and Edna Masonic Lodges of KS, A.F & A.M.; he was also a member of the Scottish Rite of KS and the MIRZA Shrine.  Larry was a Past Master of both Edna and Keystone Masonic Lodge of Coffeyville.  Larry was also a member of Dearing Christian Church.

Larry will forever be known as a loving husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and coworker.   He will be missed by many but, most by his wife, Rosalie; daughter, Jenny and her husband Randy Williams; son, Douglas Smith; step daughter, Angela and her husband Mike Nolte; step son, Lincoln Springer; grandchildren; Rylan, Dylan, Devan, Zander, Tia Marie, LeeAnn, Tyler, Dustin; great grandchildren, Marissa, True and Aurora; brother, Chester Smith and his wife, Karen; sister, Linda and her husband Larry Mersberg; sister-in-law, Dolores Duffy; brother-in-law, Joe Robbins; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and extended family.  In addition to his parents, Chet and Margarete Smith, Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Richard “Dick” Smith; sister, Sheri Robbins; brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Duffy.

Memorial Service will be held celebrating Larry’s life under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 1pm at Dearing Christian Church, 302 Independence Ave., Dearing, Kansas. Due to COVID – 19 restrictions facial mask will be required, and social distancing will be encouraged. The service will be streamed life through Facebook Live on the Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel page.   The register will be available for signing on Monday, December 7, 2020 from 10 to 5pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas.  The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to Dearing Christian Church and may be left in care of the chapel.  To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com