Larry Smith

Larry Smith, born on July 2, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on March 25, 2026, at 88. He was the son of Verne and Lauradell Smith.

Raised in Des Moines, Larry graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Iowa. An enthusiastic Iowa Hawkeye fan, he held football season tickets for many years, as well as Drake University basketball.

Larry married Janet Arlene Doss on July 8, 1961, in Baring, Missouri. They lived in Des Moines, Iowa and had a daughter in 1962. Many years later they moved to Waukee, Iowa, where they enjoyed retirement. A proud Army National Guard veteran, he worked for The Bankers Life Company (later The Principal Financial Group) for 37 years before retiring. Larry enjoyed genealogy research, discovering his family's history and was a very handy man who could build and repair anything. He loved dogs, especially the many Cocker Spaniels he had over the years, as well as his Akita grand dogs. Larry and Janet spent
winters in Yuma, Arizona, socializing with family and friends.

Survived by his daughter, Denise Hart (Jim Hutson), Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Smith. There will not be any service. However, Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.