Larry A. Smith

Larry A. Smith, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 9, 2011. Larry was born on Oct. 9, 1940 in Tulsa OK. He graduated from Handley High School in Ft. Worth, TX in 1958. He started working for Johnnie Johnson Tire Company in 1959, opened Abilene Bandag in 1975 and several other Bandag dealerships. He also worked for GCR, Southern Tire Mart and traveled the world training for Michelin Tire Company in which he retired from in 2008. Larry was a mentor to so many people and taught the retreading business to many franchises and dealerships throughout the US. He had a multitude of friends and family and will be greatly missed. He married Kay Mensch on July 3, 1974. Larry loved spending time with his family and his fishing & hunting buddies. He never met a stranger and was loved and respected by many. His lifelong dream was to be a rancher which he was able to fulfill with his wife at the Smith Ranch in Clifton TX. Survivors include his wife, Kay Smith; Daughter Chanda Harris and husband Mark of Abilene; Son Ambre (A.C.) Smith and wife Adrian of Ft. Worth, TX; Twelve grandchildren, Justin, Cody, Jordan, and Hunter Harris, Ambre Jr, Amber, Mandy, Larry, Willow and Dallas Smith, Liberty Belcher, Tralene Hunston; One great-grandchild, Jaxon Harris; One Brother, Bill Kisselburg and wife Dorothy of Tulsa, OK and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen, his step-mother Mertie and his father Herschel Smith. Services will be at 2 pm Saturday, August 13, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Smith officiating. Entombment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park Mausoleum III. There will be a gathering of family and friends at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, Friday from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hendrick Hospice Care 1682 Hickory Abilene, TX 79601, or First Baptist Church of Clifton, Texas, 106 S Ave G, Clifton TX 76634.