Obituary - Larry Warren Smith

Larry Warren Smith passed away of natural causes April 19, 2023 in Kalispell, Mt.

Larry was born March 20, 1947, in Louisville, Mississippi, to Leon and Evelyn Smith. He grew up in Hingham, MT, and graduated from Hingham High School in 1966.

Larry enlisted in the US Navy in 1968. He was stationed aboard the USS Providence during the Vietnam War. Larry received many medals including: Navy Achievement, Navy Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Southwest Asian Service, War on Terrorism, Kuwait and Saudi Lib of Kuwait, Cold War Victory, US Communication, US Navy Communication Service, and Honorable Discharge (1974), Electronic Tech E7.

Larry was very proud of his medals and serving his country. Larry was in the Naval Reserve from 1985-1993 with his last tour of duty in 1991 fighting in Desert Storm.

Larry married Wanita Glover July 20, 1974, in Kalispell. Their son Leon was born in 1978. Larry and Wanita lived in several states, but Kalispell became their home.

In 1979 Larry received a US Patent for his invention for re-inking ink jet cartridges, the beginnings of a success business, Ribbon Works. He kept busy with his laser art designs hobby creating plaques for the military, fishing derbies, and other custom designs.

Larry was instrumental in securing four DAV vans for the Kalispell area, driving veterans to and from appointments for many years. He was a member of the South Kalispell Volunteer Fire Department and attained the rank of assistant fire chief.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Evelyn; sister Wanda Mills, and younger brother, James.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wanita; son, Leon (Naomi) Havre, MT; sisters Lynn (John) Paasch and Linda Smith of Bremerton WA and Pam (David) Wilson of Havre, MT and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Service for Larry will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, April 27 at 10:00 am followed by interment with full military honors. Memorial donations in Larry's name can be made to the North Star School Foundation in Hingham, MT, South Kalispell Volunteer Fire District, Trinity Lutheran Church, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home has been entrusted with Larry's arrangements. You may leave a message of condolences for the family on their webpage.