Lawrence Smith

Lawrence Charles Smith, 82, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2018 after a long illness. Born in Grove City, Ohio, Larry was the son of John D. and Marie Patzer Smith. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Bettinger Smith; children Barbara Albert and Rebecca Retherford; grandchildren, Nicholas (Susan) Cardosi  Albert of Los Angeles, CA, David (Laura) Keller, Steven (Roberta) Albert, Justin (Emma) Keller, Kelly (Ryan) Guglielmi, Michael (Brittany) Albert, Philip Albert of Louisville, KY, Jamie Albert, Marissa DeVore, and Christopher Albert; nine great grandchildren; brothers Paul (Nancy) Smith of Highland, CA, Roger (Mitzi) Smith; nephews Phil Smith of San Diego, CA, and Martin (Donna Smith) of Chicago, IL, nephew Andrew (Erin) Babakan of Virginia Beach, VA, and niece Martha Smith of Seattle, WA.

Larry was a man of faith and integrity. He was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grove City, where he served in many roles, including serving on the property management and the stewardship and finance committees, and serving with his wife in the ministry of communion for homebound members of the church. He enjoyed singing in the church choir as well.  He had a passion for pipe organs and enthusiastically contributed time and talent to maintenance and upkeep of the pipe organ at St. John’s.

A graduate of Grove City High School, Larry was a member of the Ohio Air National Guard. He was employed for 40 years at Byrum Lithography, and then retired from Home Depot.

Larry will be sorely missed by his family, and will be missed for his wit, his mechanical genius, and for the way he always lit up around babies and animals.

There will be visitation hours on Saturday, December 15 at 2 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3220 Columbus Street, Grove City, Ohio, and a celebration of Larry’s life with a memorial service at 3 pm the same day and location, with Pastor Patti Morlock presiding.

Memorials may be given in Larry’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43215 or to the organ fund at St. John’s Lutheran Church.