Larry Dean Smith

Larry Dean Smith, 72, died March 14, 2025.

He was born on Feb. 13, 1953, in Garden City to Elmer and Luella (McIntyre) Smith.

A devoted son, brother, stepdad and uncle, he lived in Sharon Springs. He graduated from Weskan High School in 1971 and attended Colby Community College.

He was a lifelong farmer and rancher who had a deep love for the land and spent countless hours caring for his cattle. He was no stranger to hard work and picked up extra work as he needed.

He worked in partnership with his parents on many occasions raising sugar beets, corn, wheat and custom cutting silage and wheat in addition to his own crops and livestock.

He loved his nieces and nephews and always had a soft spot in his heart for them.

Larry was known as a storyteller and could remember details and dates that escaped most other family members. The most important thing to him was his family and he never missed a chance to gather with them.

As a kid, his ornery streak often got him in real trouble, but it never stopped him from trying the next thing he thought of. That ornery streak never did quite end.

He was a gentle giant and had a huge, kind heart. He was always willing to help someone in need. He was one of the Good ‘ole Boys whose bear hugs will be truly missed.

He is survived by brothers, Curtis Smith and wife, Jo, Ponca City, Okla., and Corey Smith and wife, Loretta, Weskan; sister, Cindy Reinert and husband, Shawn, Colby; stepdaughters, Toni Adams and husband, Steve, Salina, Shanadi Chamberlain and husband, Clint, Maize; nephews, Darren Smith, Devon Smith and wife, Wendy, and Hayden Reinert and wife, Myka; nieces, Denee Elfeldt and husband, Jay, and Jenna Reinert; great-nephews and nieces and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, John and Cora Smith and Walter and Florence McIntyre; a sister, Brenda Smith; in addition to uncles, aunts and cousins.

Larry will be remembered in a Celebration of Life on Sat., March 29, 11:00 a.m. MST, at the 4-H building (CAB) in Sharon Springs.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Larry Smith Memorial Fund and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, Ks. 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome. com.