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Larry N. Smothers

Larry N. Smothers obituary

FUNERAL HOME

Covenant Funeral Service - Fredericksburg

10830 Patriot Hwy

Fredericksburg, Virginia

UPCOMING SERVICE

Celebration Of Life

Oct. 4, 2025

11:00 a.m.

Peace United Methodist Church

Larry Smothers Obituary

CW2 USA (Ret.)
Larry N. Smothers, 70, of Fredericksburg, VA, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2025, after a long illness.

Larry was born in Farmington, New Mexico, on May 29, 1955, to Floyd and Pat Smothers. He spent his early years hunting and fishing with his dad, brother, and cousins. After graduating from Farmington High School, Larry went on to study at New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University, where he met his future wife, Katherine Hudson. Later, he earned a master's degree in business from the University of Maryland.

Larry proudly served his country in the United States Army, beginning his career in 1979. His service started with Russian language training in Monterey, CA, continued with several years in Germany, and then in multiple positions in the Washington, DC area. Following his distinguished 20-year Army career, Larry continued his dedication to national service through his work with the Department of Defense until his retirement in 2012. Throughout his meaningful career, he built connections across cultures, religions, and languages, always honoring their differences. He was a friend and mentor to many, a quiet patriot.

During his retirement, Larry pursued his passion for history, especially through travel to local and European historical sites, monuments, and battlefields. He was deeply committed to serving others, volunteering with the House of Hope in Baltimore and the Brisben Center in Fredericksburg. He and Katherine worshipped at Peace United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg. He was loved and respected within his family and community.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Katherine Smothers; son, Stuart Smothers (Susan); and daughter, Sara Benchich (Jason). He is also remembered by two grandchildren, Isabella and Jack Smothers; and an extended loving family in Virginia, New Mexico, and Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Peace United Methodist Church, where family and friends are encouraged to come. Larry will be inurned at Quantico National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.
Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 20, 2025.

Memorial Events
for Larry Smothers

Oct

4

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Peace United Methodist Church

801 Maple Grove Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Funeral services provided by:

Covenant Funeral Service - Fredericksburg

10830 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Smothers

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1 Entry

Laurie R Welch

Yesterday

I worked with Larry for more than a decade in Maryland. His quiet competence and subtle sense of humor are among the reasons I was very fond of him. The photograph of him above reminds me of a favorite tale about wearing his uniform to Coca-Cola office parties. Katherine, he told us, asked him to do so because it made her so memorable by association. He said that she followed him all over the world for his career. He said he didn´t love putting on the uniform, but it was a small thing to do to help Katherine be successful in the career she had to start so late, because she spent all those years focused on his career. While he might not have loved putting on the uniform, there was no question in my mind that he LOVED Katherine. He´s one of the good ones, and he´s gone too soon.

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