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Larry SMITH Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Larry SMITH
Amy Peeples
February 22, 2010
To the Smith Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Grace was a great church to have been a part of and I have fond memories of Pastor Smith. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Amy (Samson) Peeples
Linda Blum Mowka
February 19, 2010
My family and I have been members of Epiphany for four generations, even though some of us have moved out of town. Pastor Smith was a good man who spoke with authority, and he was a good shepherd to his people. We are all diminished by his loss.
Patti Zattau
February 19, 2010
I knew Pastor Larry from the great works that he & Epiphany did through my employer Toledo Area Ministries. He was truly a man of God and will be deeply missed by all. I knew many of his church family members as they were wonderful volunteers in several of our ministries. Our prayers go to all of his family (both church & biological).
Bonita Kohler
February 18, 2010
Pastor Smith gently and compassionately guided many of the David family members through the loss of loved ones, the most recent being my Mom. Grace (David) Schondel. I will never forget the words he wove into a synopsis of her life at Epiphany. Please accept my sincere condolences and know that he will always be remembered in my prayers.
Bonita (Schondel) Kohler
February 18, 2010
Gwyn and family, our heartfelt condolences to all of you as you go through this difficult time. Pastor Smith was always there to offer prayers before Harry's surgeries. And, we always enjoyed his visits. He was truly a man of God. May your sorrow be brightened by happy memories. In God's love, the Beckhusen family.
Debbie Blackshear
February 18, 2010
Gwyn and Kids, Paul and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Larry's death. We have so many wonderful memories of Larry and your family while you were at Zion. We will always remember Larry for his gentle spirit and fierce love for his calling and serving our Lord. We remember when he baptized our J.P. and all the special moments while he pastored Zion. Our hearts hurt for you but find solace in knowing that he rests in the everlasting arms of our Lord and Savior. May God's love surround you and sustain you in the days ahead. Larry touched many lives and his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.
Love, Debbie & Paul Blackshear, Cypress, Texas
February 17, 2010
To the Smith Family- I did not know Pastor Smith well. My Mom went to Epiphany Church. I met Pastor Smith when she and my brother past in September. His kind gentle way was very comforting. May you always feel his gentle comfort around you even though his earthly presence is gone. My heartfelt condolences go out to you all. Cathy Szymanowski
Debbe & David, Jillian & Nathan France
February 17, 2010
Pastor Larry was a warm, wonderful man and a gifted spiritual leader. We were blessed to have known him.
Our hearts and prayers are with Gwen and the family.
Laura Randall
February 17, 2010
I wanted to wait and write how I/we all feel about Pastor Larry's passing, but shock is not to write about. He loved us, all of us. We were his family too. Gwyn and family, our hearts go out to you. The loss is felt with us and I can only imagine how hard it is for you guys. On the bright side, his soul is probably like a kid in a candy store, going to heaven. He probably has a hundred questions and finally has the answers. When we too join him again, it will be a blessed day for all. Until then, be strong and if there is anything you need, don't hesitate. We are all family! I am sorry that I can not physically attend due to health reasons but know you have been on my mind and are always in our hearts.
The Randall's,
Jeff, Laura, Carley and Carson
Epiphany members
Wilma [Micki] Sykes
February 17, 2010
Dear Gwen & Epiphany Family, You will never know how very much of a heartache it is for me; hearing that "my" beloved pastor, mentor and friend is gone. He was always there for me, spent time with me, and had advice when I asked. His heart was always open for all that needed his care. Maybe that's why it just has to rest so he'll be there waiting for us when we see him again. I joined Epiphany in 1995, so Pastor Smith has always been there for me.
To Gwen & family,
Please accept my sympathy, love and prayers. I'm sorry I'm not able to attend the service, but know all I have is here for you, if you need me.
My Good be with all of you and keep you in His heart and hands.
Wilma [Micki] Sykes
Carolyn Morris Davie
February 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family. I had moved away from Epiphany before Pastor Larry was there so I did not know him well, but he was wonderful to my Mom and Dad during my Dad's battle with cancer. He was very kind, compassionate & understanding when my Dad passed away. His presence will surely be missed at Epiphany.
Gerald & Merilyn Notman
February 17, 2010
To the Smith family, We are so very sorry for your loss.Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Pastor Smith will be greatly missed. Gerald and Merilyn Notman (members of Epiphany)
February 17, 2010
What we as a Congregation are feeling now is hard to put into words.Our hearts are broken and we have a void in our lives.
Pastor Larry touched so many lives and was always available for all of our needs. A very hunble and giving person who will be remembered with our tears and love. He will be missed and we will have to live with wonderful memories until we meet again.
Frank and Ginny Mick
Jaimie, Eric, Hadley and David Lavanger
February 17, 2010
We were charter members of Grace Lutheran in Carrollton, TX. Larry has been very much in our minds lately as our daughter, Hadley, is getting married and is using the hymn, Earth and All Stars, in her wedding ceremony. Not the most typical wedding piece, but it brings back such fond memories of a small, friendly church in Texas. In our minds, it's always and forever linked to Pastor Smith! Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Joan Swenson
February 16, 2010
To Gwyn and the kids - our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Bryan and Joan Swenson - Grace Lutheran - Carrollton, TX
Phyllis Barnes
February 16, 2010
To Gwinn and family,
There aren't words to describe how saddened I am to hear of Pastor Larry's passing. The last time I saw him was the week before I moved away from Toledo. He had nothing but words of encouragement for me. I told him I was going to search for a new church when I got settled but it would be hard to find a pastor to equal him. He was one of a kind. His words comforted me when my husband died and welcomed me when I came to help in the church office. I know the world is diminished by his passing but Heaven is truly blessed with his presence. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bob, Janet, Whitney & Madison Johnson
February 16, 2010
To the Smith Family,
In 1985, my fiance Janet and I were looking for a pastor to preside at our wedding. Janet grew up in the Lutheran church, so she started looking at the Lutheran churches in our area (Carrollton Tx.). She stumbled on to Grace Lutheran and Larry Smith. After meeting with us Larry agreed to preside at our wedding on Oct. 25 1986. We joined Grace Lutheran where Larry also presided at the baptism of our first daughter. We missed him for many years after he left Grace and moved to Toledo. Our deepest sympathies are with Gwyn, Tracy, Heather and Mark during this difficult time. We will all miss him very much.
Joanne Bixler
February 16, 2010
Pastor Larry was a kind and giving man. He always had time for anyone who needed to talk. I only knew him for a short time, but you knew he was a good man by his demeanor. I was very sorry to hear of his passing and grieve with you all. In time his memory will serve you all well.
Toledo Hospital Neuro ICU
February 16, 2010
To the Smith Family--
In your time of loss, know that thoughts and prayers are with you. May the memories always be close in your heart.
Yvonne Hawkins
February 16, 2010
In 1995, my fiance Ron, and I were searching for a new church and we happened upon Epiphany Lutheran. After going there several times, we really enjoyed what Pastor Larry and the congregation did for us...made us feel as we belonged. Not too long after, we joined there. In Oct.1996, Larry married us. That, I believe, is what made us truly happy and we knew we could go to Larry for anything. He was a dear,dear friend and a mentor to us in our faith. His wife Gwen is a beautiful person, both inside and outside, as are his children and grandchildren. We have come to love them all throughout the years. Later on, Ron's parents also joined Epiphany and Larry was there for all of us when Dad died. Larry was a very giving, yet humble, person. He always had a smile on his face and a "song" in his heart. He was always there when I had my many surgeries, with prayers before and visits after. He always prayed with me on the phone when I'd called with a friend or acquaintence's death or problem. Many times, he would pray with Ron and I in the Parlor or give us Communion before one of Ron's road trips. How one man could do so many things for so many people and never complain was beyond my comprehension. He was there for all of us, no matter what. This one man was so great in my eyes, I'm not sure anyone can replace him! In church on Sunday, we were told he was in ICU and had taken a turn. Immediately, the tears came and I went out and cried and prayed for God"s healing hand upon him. Later,as we talked after church,we got the word that he had passed away. We all cried and prayed at that moment with Pastor Warren. Pastor Larry will forever be in our hearts and we look forward to the day when we will all meet with him and Christ in Heaven. If there is anything that Ron or I could do to help you through this most difficult time, please don't hesitate to ask. We will keep you all in our prayers and our thoughts are with you. We love you as our own family and we remain yours in Christ. Love, Ron and Yvonne Hawkins
Julia Matheny
February 16, 2010
We attended Epiphany with my parents, Glenn and Emily Irwin, whenever we were visiting Toledo. Pastor Smith's care and compassion for his congregation were always very obvious and brought a warmth to the service. He will be very much missed. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers in the days to come.
Betty Washington
February 16, 2010
Pastor Smith was leading the service the first time I took my 3-year-old grandson to church. In the course of the sermon, my grandson got my attention to ask, "Why is that man calling my name?"
My grandson is Christian Washington. Through Christian's first experience with worship, he led his entire family to Christ and I credit Pastor Smith for starting him on the parthway to glorious eternity.
Thank you for this act about which you never even knew. You touched a small child and changed his life.
Betty Washington
Lewisville, Texas
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