1924
Lawrence
2012
Lawrence S. Smith
September 23, 1924 — October 2, 2012
Larry S. Smith, 88, of Amarillo died Tuesday, October 2, 2012.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2012, at St Paul United Methodist Church. Pastor Perry Hunsaker will officiate. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery. All arrangements are
by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
Larry was born September 23, 1924 to J. Henry and Vivian C. Smith in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1942
he graduated from Bulkeley High School, New London, Connecticut. That summer, he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy. After attending communication and submarine schools, he was a plank member of the USS Perch
SS313. Following commissioning, the Perch went to the Pacific. Larry was awarded the Submarine
Combat Pin with 2 stars after successful war patrols.
He was honorably discharged in January 1946. He married Betty Jane Epps on May 11, 1946, in St. Louis. That fall, he entered Oklahoma State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950.
Following graduation, Larry entered the construction industry in Amarillo working in estimating and sales. Later
he became owner of Barnes-Smith Builders Supply and also founded Hallgren-Smith Company in
Lubbock.
In addition to being a businessman, Larry chaired or served on boards, including the Amarillo Community
Council, Amarillo Council of Camp Fire, the United Way, and Tascosa Country Club. He was a member of
Construction Specification Institute and Doors and Hardware Institute of America. Larry was a charter
member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Following retirement in 1985, Larry and Betty enjoyed numerous golfing trips in the U.S; Canada, and
the Caribbean. In 1997 they moved to the Craig Methodist Retirement Community.
The family will receive guests at the funeral home this evening from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Betty, two sons, Steve and wife Susie of Amarillo, and Paul of
Lufkin, Texas, five grandchildren, Allison Culp and husband, Kris of Amarillo, Eric Smith of Amarillo, Ryan
Smith and wife Miranda of Dover, Delaware, Shannon Maupin and husband Rob, of Lincoln, Illinois, and
Jennifer Ruether and husband Kenn of Plano, Texas, and seven great-grandchildren, Molly and Libby
Culp, Maddisyn Smith, Garrett and Kate Maupin, and Zack and Rachel Ruether.
The family requests memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 43171-40 West, Amarillo, TX
79106.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2012, at St Paul United Methodist Church. Pastor Perry Hunsaker will officiate. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery. All arrangements are
by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
Larry was born September 23, 1924 to J. Henry and Vivian C. Smith in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1942
he graduated from Bulkeley High School, New London, Connecticut. That summer, he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy. After attending communication and submarine schools, he was a plank member of the USS Perch
SS313. Following commissioning, the Perch went to the Pacific. Larry was awarded the Submarine
Combat Pin with 2 stars after successful war patrols.
He was honorably discharged in January 1946. He married Betty Jane Epps on May 11, 1946, in St. Louis. That fall, he entered Oklahoma State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950.
Following graduation, Larry entered the construction industry in Amarillo working in estimating and sales. Later
he became owner of Barnes-Smith Builders Supply and also founded Hallgren-Smith Company in
Lubbock.
In addition to being a businessman, Larry chaired or served on boards, including the Amarillo Community
Council, Amarillo Council of Camp Fire, the United Way, and Tascosa Country Club. He was a member of
Construction Specification Institute and Doors and Hardware Institute of America. Larry was a charter
member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Following retirement in 1985, Larry and Betty enjoyed numerous golfing trips in the U.S; Canada, and
the Caribbean. In 1997 they moved to the Craig Methodist Retirement Community.
The family will receive guests at the funeral home this evening from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Betty, two sons, Steve and wife Susie of Amarillo, and Paul of
Lufkin, Texas, five grandchildren, Allison Culp and husband, Kris of Amarillo, Eric Smith of Amarillo, Ryan
Smith and wife Miranda of Dover, Delaware, Shannon Maupin and husband Rob, of Lincoln, Illinois, and
Jennifer Ruether and husband Kenn of Plano, Texas, and seven great-grandchildren, Molly and Libby
Culp, Maddisyn Smith, Garrett and Kate Maupin, and Zack and Rachel Ruether.
The family requests memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 43171-40 West, Amarillo, TX
79106.
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