Larry Ray Smith, 73, of Butler, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016, following a brief illness. He was born November 25, 1942 in Johnson County to the late Walter Ray and Ruby Reece Smith.
Larry graduated from Hampton High School in 1960 and later from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He spent many years working as a railroad engineer and retired from CSX Railroad. Larry loved horticulture, music events and traveling with his family. He was very proud of his hometown and had a passion for the history of Old Butler. Larry was a member of the Butler Ruritan Club and an active participant in Old Butler Days.
Larry was an avid University of Tennessee football fan and took great pleasure in his role as an usher at Neyland Stadium. He was a long-time member of the Elizabethton Church of Christ.
Survivors include his children, Dr. Toby Ray Smith and his wife Dee-Dee of Brentwood, Tenn., and Jody Lynn Smith of Johnson City, Tenn., and his beloved grandchildren, Abby, Beau and Dorothy Lane. He also has several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Dorothy Whitehead Smith, and his older brother, Ted Smith.
Services will be conducted on Thursday, February 4, at Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, Tenn., with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 7 p.m. Mr. Roby Ellis will be the minister officiating. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park on Friday, February 5, at 11 a.m. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Friday to go to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be chosen from family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-990. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Smith family.