Lawrence R. (Larry) Smith
Lawrence R. (Larry) Smith
Lawrence R. (Larry) Smith, 96, passed away on August 23, 2016.
The second of five children born to Andrew P. Smith and
Olive G. (Babe) Call Smith, Larry was born in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 25, 1919. Larry
grew up on his family’s ranch near the mouth of Mores Creek east of Boise,
Idaho. He spent his time as a young man working and going to school. He
graduated from Boise High in 1938.
Larry always had a passion for hard work, and he was an
excellent horseman and rancher. Throughout his life as a cowboy, he herded many
cattle, trained his fair share of horses, learned the skill of carpentry and
building, was an excellent hunter and fisherman, and farmed crops both for his
livestock and to support his family.
On January 3, 1942, Larry traveled to Portland, Oregon to
enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to the Marine Corps
base camp in San Diego, CA. After training with the Marines for 7 months, Larry
made the decision to join the ranks of the 2
nd
Paramarine Battalion.
He played a large part in Operation Blissful, the diversionary raid on Choiseul
in October of 1943.
After the 2
nd
Paramarine Battalion disbanded, he joined the 5th Marine Division and was
promoted to Sergeant. He landed on Iwo Jima on the 19th of February, 1945. He
was wounded in battle 18 days later. During his time as a Marine, he was
honored with a Unit Commendation for Operation Blissful and a Purple Heart for
his sacrifice and bravery on Iwo Jima.
After returning from the Marines, he once again began
chasing his passion as a rancher. He married Alda L. Williamson on August 29,
1948 in Boise, Idaho. Together they raised four children – Claudia, Kay, James
and Karen. He was a dedicated husband and father who enjoyed spending time with
his family on their ranch at Highland Valley Summit in Boise.
He began his employment at the Idaho Department of Parks and
Recreation in 1955 where he served as a park ranger until his retirement in 1982.
After his retirement, Larry enjoyed going to the horse
races, bowling, and spending time with family and friends. He will be greatly
missed.
Survivors include his children; Karen Ewy of Boise, Claudia
Glynn and her children Aimee (Mark) Stephenson and Devin (Heather) Humphries of
Boise, James Smith of Boise, and Kay Brock and her children Jeremy Brock, James
Brock, and Corey Brock of Garden City.
He is also survived by his brother and sister;
Marion (Betty) Smith, and Marygrace (Earl) Elsner; his great-grandchildren;
Tyler Rae Price, Tyler Dean Stephenson, Teighlor Stephenson, and Cierra Humphries;
and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife;
Alda, parents; Andy and Babe, and his brothers; Neil Smith and Ben Smith.
Graveside services will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery at
9600 Hill Road in Boise, at 1:00pm on Monday, August 29, 2016. There will be a reception
immediately following at 3534 S. Minuteman Way in (Southeast) Boise.
Services are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner
Funeral Chapel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence R. (Larry) Smith, please visit our flower store.
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