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Larry Smith Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Larry Smith
Marie Hunter VanSchoten
April 3, 2008
Dear Cheryl,
So sorry to hear about Larry--I know you will miss him very much. My grandson passed away from Leukemia when he was 14-3 years ago- and I know it is very hard to lose someone you love.
I haven't talked to you in years, but I always felt happy and welcome when I was with you here at UM.
take care and God Bless and help you through this difficult time.
Marie Hunter VanSchoten- from the Michigan days.
Gladys Watson
February 21, 2008
To the Smith Family,
I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all of you. I, unfortunately did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Smith. However,I am now at the age that I read the obituaries daily (probably to make sure my name's not there-lol). I have read Mr. Smith's notice each day and have read the wonderful things everyone has said about him. I feel like I knew him. He sounded like a great man and one that was much loved by all. May God richly bless and sustain you during this time. Always remember that one day, you shall all be together again.
Bob Brown
February 21, 2008
Sorry to hear about coach Smith. How long is this same obit going to run?
Linda Davis
February 7, 2008
Carol and family,
Just heard of Larry's passing and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My the good Lord grant you peace.
Michael Minnig
February 5, 2008
To the Smith Family, I send my deepest condolences for your loss. I was a student at University of AZ. Larry did for U of A what he did for everyone. He inspired everyone to be the best they can be, with integrty & character, in every phase of life. He is now in Heaven with those who set him on the road to greatness: His Father, High School Coach Gil Smith,College Coach Doyte Perry, & fellow coach & friend Bo Schembeckler. He is truly a great legacy & obviously a GREAT Son, Dad & Husband ! God Bless-
Larry Deutsch
February 4, 2008
Cheryl,
Bill Parker and I are so sorry to hear of Larry's death. As your next door neighbors, when you lived on Calle Brillante, we want you to know that we are thinking of you and your entire family. Larry will be greatly missed by the entire Tucson community and especially by us.
Kathi Orr
February 3, 2008
Cheryl,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that the staff at Arizona Baptist Children's Services are praying for you and your family.
Nan Fisher O'Dell, Ann Heuer Barfield Betsi Baker Burden
February 3, 2008
We are writing on behalf of the Class of '65 from Shawnee High Scool,Lima,Ohio. Larry started his amazing coaching career at our school and we knew from the begining that he was a special teacher and friend. He was an inspiration to a generation of students and athletes.
michael robertson
February 3, 2008
Larry's Wildcat teams got a little bit better each year he was at the helm. His Wildcats always played as if they believed they could win. His Wildcats usually beat some teams that were more talented. Larry Smith's time in Tucson is a bright spot in my memory.
Giacomazza Family
February 3, 2008
Cheryl & family,
Our family was so sorry to hear about Coach Smith. You were both so dear to our mother and I know she always cherished your friendship. Coach Smith was a very special man and he will be missed by many. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bev and Bob Weaver
February 2, 2008
Cheryl, Alicia and Corby:
It's been many years but the Weavers still hold their past friendship with the Smiths as something very special. We were saddened by Larry's passing but have to be glad that his pain is ended. Our kids, Kim and Brad, also send their thoughts. Larry was always quite a celebrity in their eyes back in the Michigan days. The "Coach" will be missed by all.
tony switzer
January 30, 2008
Coach Smith we will miss you. Thanks for all the memories you blessed us with. We enjoyed our visit with you in Lexington, MO how you took the time to talk with us. Thanks for being a Tiger & may you rest in peace. Our prayers & thoughts are with your family. Tony Switzer, Clinton, MO
Robert Maxey
January 29, 2008
Larry Smith was a great coach and person but what I remember most about him is the tremendous amount of charity work he and his wife Cheryl did for Columbia and the University. He was always willing to speak to the average person on the street. Larry laid the foundation for the success Mizzou now enjoys on the gridiron, but unfortunately was never given the credit. May God bless you Larry...we need more people like you on earth.
Jim Moise
January 29, 2008
To the Smith Family, and friends
I am a USC alum and watched every one of Coach Smith's games for the Trojans. Watching him on the sidelines and hearing his pre & post game interviews, I can say that he always conducted himself with class, high expectations for himself and his team. I continued to follow him through his term with the University of Missouri where his commitment for success won out.
I am saddened that those who knew him have to bear this early loss. My prayers and thougths are with you all.
Jim Moise
USC Class of 1976
Clint Switzer
January 29, 2008
Coach Smith was a passionate man who will be missed by all. He brought a lot to the Missouri program and we appreciate every bit of it.
The Banning Family
January 29, 2008
Cheryl,
Our family sat in front of you and Larry on the plane flight back to St. Louis after the Insight.com bowl victory. Our kids still talk about meeting Coach. To them it was a bigger deal than being invited to the White House or Buckingham Palace!
We will always remember Larry as the man who turned Mizzou football around and gave it his all. May he rest in peace and may God comfort you and your family in this difficult time.
Erich Magruder
January 29, 2008
Thank you, Coach, for your hard work and dedication to the football program at the University of Missouri. You brought respect back to the program, happiness to the fans, and laid the groundwork for future success. My condolences to your family. Rest in Peace, you will be missed.
Carolyn Garwood
January 29, 2008
Dearest Cheryl & Family May your hearts be filled with the wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived. May God be near you and comfort you in this time of sorrow. Larry was a loved classmate and friend back in the glory days at Van Wert High in the fifties. You are in our prayers. Ralph & Carolyn (Rhodenbaugh) Garwood
brad
January 29, 2008
thank you for bringing a little pride back to the missouri program and happiness into the hearts of your fans and players. rest well larry.
Steve O'Brian
January 29, 2008
I had the pleasure of getting to know coach while he was here in Columbia. He was a special man with great integrity. My most sincere sympathy goes to Cheryl and the rest of the family.
Paul Davis
January 29, 2008
I had gone to same Chruch with Coach Smith in Columbia. he had set down by me during a service and introduced himself being a big fan of his and the Missouri Tigers I needed no introduction, he did have prescence but seemed humble. I will not forget that day.
He was a man of great intgerity and work ethic, he had put things in his life and the players on what was important first and then football.
He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Joe Zwillenberg
January 29, 2008
Larry Smith brought back the roar at Mizzou, I will always be greatfull for being at his first press conference and meeting the man who would lead our tigers back!!
Thank you Larry Smith RIP
Stephen Miller
January 29, 2008
I am sorry for your loss.
Stuart Gage
January 29, 2008
I played for Coach Smith at USC and got to know his family pretty well. I want to offer my deepest sympathies to Cheryl and Corbie and the rest of the family. God Bless you in this tough time in your life. Sincerely Stuart Gage
Scott
January 29, 2008
May the Lord bless the Smith family in their loss. Thanks for the memories, Larry. You will be remembered!
Limbo Parks
January 29, 2008
Coach Smith coached me in the 1987 Hula Bowl all-star game in Hawaii it was a great experience for me. I’m very sadden by his passing. Coach Smith may you rest in peace, and God bless your family.
Patrick and Jill Mingucci
January 29, 2008
Pat had a lot of respect and enjoyed playing football for Coach Smith. We are both saddened to hear about his passing. Please know that we are praying for the family.
Meredith Hoenes
January 29, 2008
Larry was the coach while I went to MU. I worked in the Sports Info department at the time, worked at KOMU and saw him from time to time off the field. It's sad something like cancer took him. My sympathies and thoughts are with his closest friends and family.
Ron Griffin
January 29, 2008
God Speed! Thanks for turning the Missouri football program around. May God bless you and your family during this time.
January 29, 2008
How sad for the Tiger Nation!!
He started the turn around for our Tigers.
He coached some of the BEST games the Tigers ever played and lost.
Tiger Woman
Steven
January 29, 2008
I had the opportunity to work with Cheryl and her philanthropy Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) While at MU, never met Coach Smith but had much respect for the man and Mrs. Smith. My sympathies go out to you Cheryl and your family.
frank bustamante
January 29, 2008
Coach Smith, you were a breath of fresh air and the reason Mizzou is where it is today. More importantly, you showed the university and its fans what a caring and gifted man could do. Thank you and may God bless you and your family.
Earl Hainline
January 29, 2008
Our condolences to Larry Smiths family, he was my husbands classmate class of 1957, He will be greatly missed. Mr and Mrs Earl R Hainline Sr
Bret Taylor
January 29, 2008
One of the good ones - a teacher and a coach.
Dave
January 29, 2008
As a Husker fan, I've always respected the hard nosed but professional manner in which Larry conducted his life. I attended the famous 97' Nebraska Missouri game and felt he did an outstanding job representing his team and University. May God immediately accept him into his arms for eternity. Wishing a peaceful time for his family.
Scott Maxey
January 28, 2008
Thanks coach for turning our program in the right direction. The entire Missouri faithful will miss you.
Mike Stephenson
January 28, 2008
The Knights of Columbus Bishop Hogan Council #2353 in Kansas City, Missouri wishes to express its sympathy to the Smith family on the passing of Coach Smith. We will keep Coach Smith and his family in our prayers. The Bishop Hogan Council would like to thank Coach Smith for all his accomplishments to the University of Missouri and to our state in general. Coach Smith was a great friend to our state and our University.
Dan Pierce
January 28, 2008
Thanks for all you did for Ol' Mizzou. Because of your dedication and commitment to our program, I experienced my first bowl game as a Tiger. You gave me memories that will stay with me forever.
Michael
January 28, 2008
Coach Smith,
I was a student at Mizzou during your coaching tenure, and I can remember how you inspired our team. It seemed like week after week we were tearing the goalposts down because our team has succeeded in ways that it hadn't for a couple of decades. Our team reached beyond everyone's expectations with you at the helm.
You were a great coach, a great man, and a great Tiger. May you rest in peace, and may your family take some comfort in the very positive effect you had on our University and on the players in our football program.
We miss you Coach Smith.
Jason Benward
January 28, 2008
Thank you coach! You made Missouri football matter again at the time I was arriving on campus. Thanks for the fond memories.
Chris
January 28, 2008
My condolences to the Smith family.
Bill & Lyndi McCartney
January 28, 2008
Dearest Cheryl,
It’s with great sadness we received the news of Larry’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family, your many friends and his beloved players.
I close my eyes and I see your smiles, hear your laughter and I pause to reflect on shared time in our lives. I’m so thankful for those times they are treasures to keep.
We are praying for you.
You are loved dear heart.
Lyndi
John McPherson
January 28, 2008
Thanks for fighting for me when nobody else believed in me, our prayers are with the Smith family,
#16 J-Mac 1998-2000
Phil Miller
January 28, 2008
Thank you, coach Smith, for helping put Mizzou football back on the map. I liked the way you did things. My thoughts are with you and your family. Godspeed.
William Taylor
January 28, 2008
Larry Smith did a lot in Louisiana at Tulane University. He was in the process of making the team very good when he left for a great opportunity at Arizona. He made a positive impact on those who knew him & for that matter those who maybe only met him once. Good people are hard to come by sometimes and the leaving of Larry Smith makes all of us sports fans remembering a good coach & great person.
D.W. Shepherd
January 28, 2008
Thanks for bringing the black and old gold back to respectability.
Bill Harper
January 28, 2008
My condolences go out to his family. As a lifelong USC fan, I became a big "Larry Smith Fan" when he was hired in 1987. He didn't disappoint, taking us to three straight Rose Bowl games and a run at the NC in 1988. RIP, Coach Smith.
Bob Dierks
January 28, 2008
To Mrs. Smith and family,
My name is Bob Dierks, son of Ron and Bonnie. I wanted to pass along my thoughts and prayers during your time of mourning. My dad told me many stories about he and Larry when they grew up together in Van Wert. He also told me of the time that Larry took to meet with him during the Ohio State game. These are all very special memories that he holds close to him.
Though I never personally had the opportunity to meet him, the stories told are of utmost character.
I wish you all God's Blessings and may he bring you comfort in your time of loss.
God Bless,
Bob Dierks
Mary (Smith) Spell
January 23, 2008
Andrea, Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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