On Monday, April 10, 2017, Larry Thomas Smith, Sr., age 71, lost his battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer caused by bone marrow failure.

Larry was born August 20, 1945, in Camden, Arkansas to Willie Smith and Emma Lee Gaston (both deceased). In 1947, he moved to Oakland, California with his mother and sister where he attended Lafayette Elementary, Lowell Junior High, and McClymonds High Schools in Oakland and joined the United States Army on December 3, 1962.

Serving in the Army as a Telecommunications Specialists with the Signal Corps for 24 years, and as a Vietnam veteran, Larry earned a multitude of medals, decorations and commendations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with clusters, Army Commendation Medal and Cross of Gallantry with Palm; among others.

Retiring Honorably from the Army on May 31, 1986 he started a second career with the Federal Government, General Services Administration, as a Telecommunications Program Manager in Northern VA where he spent the next 20 years before retirement.

Larry is survived by his wife, Hope Mentore-Smith; his sisters Marva and Mattie; a brother, Bobby (deceased); his children, Lorenzo, Terry, Larry Jr., Marnie (deceased), Stephanie, Jason, Christine and Felicia; his daughters-in-law, Terri-Lynn, Lola and Sarah; his son in-law, Walter; his grandchildren, Branden, Jasmine, Elijah, Ashley, Camarra, Ryan, Daniel, Taylor, Reece, Dane and Cole; great-grandchildren, Xavier and Caleb and myriad of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A man of many skills and talents, he loved his family, the Oakland Raiders, Hawaii, photography, wood-working, technology, fixing just about anything, bowling and for the past 5 years he was obsessed with golf. Larry has always been touted for his character and integrity. His words were few but always wise. His heart was huge and sometimes ached. His manhood strong but sometimes vulnerable. Above all, much loved by his circle of family and friends, he was at peace with no regrets.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on April 21, 2017 at Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA 20110. A funeral service will follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
Interment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Larry T. Smith Sr. can be made to:
THE MDS FOUNDATION
Online at - https://www.mds-foundation.org/donate/
Mail In
4573 South Broad St., Suite 150
Yardville, NJ 08620

OR

WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT
Online at - https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Mail In - Instruction for mail in donation is provided under “Donate Now”