Larry Dennis Smith

Larry Dennis Smith, 83, born on November 15, 1937, in South Bend, IN, United States, passed away March 7, 2021. He resided in Huntington Beach, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.

Larry Dennis Smith
November 15, 1937 ~ March 7, 2021

Larry Dennis Smith, of Huntington Beach, CA, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at age 83 from complications of Interstitial lung disease. He was born in South Bend, Indiana on November 15, 1937 to Dorothy Marie Otstot and Melvin Leon Smith, and is preceded in death by his wife Sandra Lee (Shuler) Smith and sister Marlene Smith; and survived by his children Catherine (husband Jeff), Curtis, Jeffrey, and Jennifer; brother Robert Smith and sister Patsy (Smith) Grap; grandchildren Leslie (husband Taiki), Ryan (wife Amanda), Daniel (wife Amanda), Allan, Michael (wife Rebekah), Kevin, Nathanael (wife Mariah), and Josiah; and great-grandchildren Esther, Jacob, Olivia, Lilith, Charlotte, Mikah, Aoife, Kyler, Zachary, and Josephine.

Larry moved to Walkerton, Indiana at a very young age and there he attended school through the twelfth grade. He played on the Walkerton High School track and basketball teams, where he started as a Guard until a growth spirt propelled him to the position of Center. While in high school, Larry also served a vice president of his senior class and participated in math competitions held by Indiana University, frequently placing at the regional and state levels. Graduating from WHS in 1955, Larry attended Purdue University in South Bend with his brother Robert, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Larry made a home with his wife and four children in Huntington Beach, CA after the family first lived in various states and towns including Pittsburgh, PA, and Westchester, CA. After working as an engineer for several years with McDonnell-Douglas, Larry returned to school to earn a Master's Degree in Mathematics in the early 1970's. He would then embark on a new career teaching mathematics at primarily Cypress College. Larry's hobbies included model railroading, painting, drawing, and reading. Larry got an early start in the home computer world, and developed his own software for preparing math lessons, tests, and grade tracking. Sandy and Larry loved to take road trips around the United States and Canada. They especially enjoyed seeing the fall leaves in New England, researching their families' genealogy, and returning home to Indiana for visits

Larry attended Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, CA, with his wife and later became a member of their cancer survivors support group. When Sandra fell ill with Alzheimer's disease, Larry dedicated more than 15 years providing such loving care that she was able to live at home in dignity far longer than anyone could have anticipated. Larry lived in the same home in Huntington Beach for 56 years.
Larry's children have been greatly impacted by the life lessons that he taught them by word and by deed. Larry is fondly remembered for the humble way that he helped many others, asking for nothing in return and rejecting praise. Because of the way he raised his children, Larry leaves a legacy of children and grandchildren that are hard-working, responsible, and independent.

We are proud of what Larry accomplished with the time that God entrusted to him. "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25:1.



If you wish to make a donation in Larry's name, these are charities that he supported:
~Disabled American Veterans
~American Lung Association
~Alzheimer's Association
~Toys for Tots
~City of Hope
~Veterans of Foreign Wars

Thank you.


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