- Born on: July 6, 1946
- Departed on: December 16, 2023
- Resided in: Vinton, IA
Lary Allan Smith
Lary Allan Smith passed away in his sleep, at home in Vinton, IA on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. As per Lary’s wishes, there will be no service at this time.
Lary was born in Cedar Rapids on July 6, 1946 to Milford E. Smith and Dolores J. (Nemecek) Smith. As a young man Lary enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and Uncle Orville. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids, in 1964. He then attended the University of Iowa, eventually transferring to and graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a teaching degree and emphasis in history in 1969. Later in his life Lary furthered his education studying at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa and receiving his MBA in 1995.
On August 17, 1968, Lary married Judy A. Riker, and from this union they were blessed with three sons, Stephen, Timothy, and Ethan Smith. Judy and Lary later divorced.
Lary worked in manufacturing businesses throughout the years including Collins Radio and LeFebure in Cedar Rapids, Winnebago in Forest City, IA, Graber in Bensenville, IL and Fisher Scientific in Indiana, PA. His focus being operations and inventory control. Towards the end of his work life, he stepped away to be a caregiver for his mother before she passed in 2006.
Lary’s family was very important to him and during his retirement he drew great enjoyment spending time with his two grandsons, Evan and Austin Smith. He could frequently be seen attending their activities and events. He was an exceptionally proud Grandpa, bragging to anyone who would listen.
Surviving Lary are his three sons and families, Stephen (Des Moines), Tim (Evan), Cedar Rapids, and Ethan (Melissa and Austin), North Liberty; sister, Linda Sweet (Terry), Cedar Rapids; his former wife, Judy Smith-Atwood, Colfax, and many cousins and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, both sets of grandparents and all of his aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for later in the Spring/Summer of 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, 730 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA, 52246.
