B. Larry Smith was born Mar. 25, 1943 and passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at his daughter’s residence in DeQuincy at the age of 78.
Larry was a trumpet player in the DeQuincy Tigers Marching Band and a proud member of the graduating class of 1961. After graduating he had joined the United States Air Force where he had the opportunity to use his musical gift to assist in celebrating fallen soldiers.
In 1966, he married the love of his life, Diane Wheeler. Larry and Diane met when Larry’s sister, Bertie Mae began babysitting Diane. They became childhood friends, dated through high school, married in 1966 and they were blessed with four children, Allison LariAnn, Mandy Cherie, Shelly Nicole and Matthew Steven.
Larry attended McNeese State University where he received a bachelor’s degree. After completing his degree he moved their family to Alaska where he worked as an Internal Auditor for SOHIO which later became BP. During his time in Alaska he founded the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Larry, Diane and their children moved over 25 times across the United States before returning to DeQuincy.
Larry worked with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana where he was their business planner and internal auditor. He was instrumental in setting up the medical facility as well as researching and confirming potential business opportunities. He loved the Coushatta and the people that he worked with. This was a part of his life that he cherished.
Larry was very community minded. He was City Planner for the City of DeQuincy, served on the Board of Directors for the Council on Aging and the Board of Directors for the Ministers’ Alliance of DeQuincy. He also served as Assistant Pastor for Grace Church, DeQuincy.
Family and faith were very important to him. The love he and Diane had for each other was like no other and their children and grandchildren were his joy. He was a great man of faith who changed the life of everyone that knew him and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Diane Wheeler Smith; children, Allison LariAnn Hofmann and husband, Matthias, Mandy Cherie Burger, Shelly Nicole Smith Morgan and husband, Chad and Matthew Steven Smith and wife, Casey McGahan; and eight grandchildren, Brittani, Hope, Hayes, Alex, Mattie, Jordin, Sam and Leila.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Austin Burger; parents, William Larry Smith and Mary Elizabeth Van Winkle Smith; brothers, Barney Smith and Bohn Smith; and sisters, Billie Lucius and Bertie Mae Stampley.
The family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 5, and the memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. The visitation and memorial service will be held at Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home in DeQuincy.
Arrangements are being handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
