Larry David Smith

Larry David Smith, age 87, of Topeka, KS, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Best Care Home Plus in Wichita, KS.

Larry was born the son of Ernest Doyle and Ruth Zane (Tevis) Smith on November 6, 1937, at Christ's Hospital in Topeka, KS. He graduated from Berryton High School in 1955. Shortly after high school, Larry married his first wife, Patricia Paralea Massey on December 4, 1957. Together, they shared almost 40 years of marriage before Patricia’s passing on September 29, 1997. On April 19, 2003, Larry married Kathleen Yvonne Gillispie and together, they shared 22 years of marriage.

Larry had a long career working for and retiring from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Manufacturing Plant. He enjoyed the many years he spent volunteering for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks as a Hunter Safety Instructor, his involvement in Scouting, and coaching youth sports, always with an emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship. His fondness of the outdoors was evident to all who knew him. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, hunting, and swimming. He loved spending time at his property on Table Rock Lake, MO with family and friends along with trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo. Family was important to Larry, and he made sure he was there to cheer his children and grandchildren on in whatever activity they were participating in. He also instilled in them his strong work ethic and sense of community.

In his earlier years, Larry was involved in stock car racing and competitive water ski jumping. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on his beloved Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and the Kansas State Wildcats.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Smith of Topeka, KS; daughter, Robin Ruse (Rocky) of Wichita, KS; daughter, Becky Odgers (Griff) of Midlothian, TX; son, Larry Smith (Debbie) of Saginaw, TX; son, Chuck Smith (Heather) of Topeka, KS; daughter, Kelly Neill (John) of Branson, MO; and Mark Stine (Gayle) of Topeka, KS; Michelle Fairchild (Skylar) of Lenexa, KS. Larry also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, David Ruse (Mallory Mark), Laura Carey (Don), Abigail Burns (Jeremy), Louis McKernan (Mandy), Ashely Odgers, Austin Odgers (Peyton), Aundrea Hopwood (Philip), Anthony Smith (Amber), William Smith (Meredith McKinnie-Smith), Dillon Smith (Jennifer), Jarid Smith (Charlotte), Michelle Smith (Jon), Erin Smith, Mary Sabatini (Jonah Heng), AnneMarie Sabatini (Nolan Arnold), Brian Schmidtberger (Tresa); as well as 22 great-grandchildren, Daltynn, Rider, Stormi, Avari, Presli, Molli, Addy, Kennedy, Judah, Marshall, Elle, Tyler, Lachlan, Leighton, Wilder, Evelyn, Tennyson, Fable, Westley, Mathew, Luke, Evan; and four great-great-grandchildren, Cove, Emberly, Wyatt, and Liam.

Larry was preceded in death by his beloved first wife and mother of the “Big Five,” Patricia; his parents, Ernest and Ruth; brothers, George and Duane; and a granddaughter, Amber McKernan.

The family will receive visitors from 12:00-1:00 P.M., followed by a funeral service at 1:00 P.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66603. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery, 1200 NW Menninger Road, Topeka, KS, 66618.

Memorial contributions can be made in Larry's memory to WildTrust c/o Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (to be used for the Hunter Safety Program), 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124-8174 and/or NE Parkinson Association, P.O. Box 67342, Topeka, KS 6667-0342 and for more information, please visit, https://www.nekpa.com . Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.