Larry Franklin Smith

Larry Smith, 66, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Hospice House in Kansas City, MO, on Sunday, July 14, 2019, after a very brief battle with cancer.

Larry Franklin Smith was born in Putnam County, MO, on June 17, 1953, the son of Samuel “Jack” and Betty Jo (Clark) Smith. Larry attended Princeton High School before graduating from Newtown High School in 1971. He married Diana Montgomery in Newtown, MO, on June 24, 1972, and they recently celebrated 47 years of marriage. Larry and Diana began farming in the Newtown area and Larry also drove a maintainer for the local township. He then worked for MoDot for 10-15 years where he was engaged in laying asphalt. Larry later drove a truck for Glen Wise, hauling grain, and then for Warren Wise out of Cairo, MO, where he hauled lumber. Larry and Dian moved to Kansas City in 1988 and lived there for 20 years where Larry drove a truck for S & H Trucking. He injured his back in 2002 and was forced into disability. Larry was proud that he had driven millions of accident free miles.

Larry was a hard worker and rarely had time for hobbies. He enjoyed deer and turkey hunting in his younger years as well as helping his father-in-law in the hayfields. He also rode dirt bikes and motorcycles at one time. Larry liked yard work on his small tractor. He and Dian were baptized at the Newtown Baptist Church on April 18, 1982, and they attended there many years.

Larry is survived by his wife, Dian, and two daughters, Carol (Kory) Lorenz of Independence, MO, and Samantha (Roscoe) Cubit of North Kansas City, MO, as well as his mother, Betty Smith of Trenton, MO. His five grandchildren are Alexis, Jessica, and Kaley Lorenz and Gabe and Bree Cubit. Larry is also survived by three sisters, Linda (Wally) Dale, Connie (Macky) Reed, and Debbie (Joe Brinser) Carman, and a brother-in-law, Tom Michael.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Jack Smith, his sister, Peggy Michael, a brother-in-law, David Carman, and his in-laws, Leon Montgomery and Marjorie Montgomery-McNeece.

Funeral services for Larry Smith will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 20, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Parsons Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Cemetery or the American Cancer Society and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.