Larry Dennis Smith, 72, of Panama City, FL, passed away Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 at Clifford Chester Sim's Veterans' Home. He was born in Sylacauga, AL. He was a 1962 graduate of Dan McCarty High School in Ft. Pierce, FL where he was an outstanding athlete in both football and baseball. He was recruited by the University of Florida (Gators) with a full football scholarship for the position of running back from 1962-1964. He served in the United States Army from 1965-1967, gained rank as Sergeant very quickly and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Vietnam War. He worked in Radar Intelligence, monitoring missiles during his entire service. Larry was most happy in the outdoors, loving hunting and fishing immensely. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Morris Smith and Mary Alice (Mae) Smith; brothers R. G. Prescott and Lindy Ray Smith.

He is survived by his dedicated ex-wife, Lucy W. Smith; children Kelly Tessitore (John) and Page Reed (Joel); brother Lance Smith (Miami); five grandchildren, Nicholas, Emma, Madeleine, Mason and Stella.

The family will be holding a private service.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Delta Red Ward at Sim's Veterans' Home. Their care, love and devotion to Larry for the past year was commendable in every facet. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Friends of Clifford Chester Sim's Veterans' Home, 4419 Tram Road, Panama City, FL 32404 in memory of Larry D. Smith.