Obituary of Larry G. Smith

Larry Gwin Smith, 77, of Bedford, IN. passed away suddenly early Thursday morning at his residence. Born July 31, 1936 in Monroe Co. (IN), he was the son of Melvin and Lucy (Gwin) Smith. He married Geraldine Jerri (Gilbert) Smith on April 4, 1958, and she survives. They would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary the day following his passing. Larry attended elementary school in Scottsburg, IN. and Junior and Senior High School in Smithville, IN. He graduated from Smithville High School (Skibos) in 1954 where he excelled in basketball and was awarded the Tri-County MVP award in 1954. He is a member of the Harrodsburg Assembly of God Church in Harrodburg, IN. Larry worked in the stone trade for the Victor Oolitic Stone CO. which supplied infrastructure for the Washington National Monument in Washington D.C. He also worked for General Motors (Central Foundry) in Bedford for 43 years where he retired in 2006. He was very active in the Bedford Assembly of God Church for many years where he served as Worship Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, and church camp leader in Hartford City, IN. He also served as President of the Full Gospel Businessmens Bedford Chapter. Larry was Co-Founder of Area Christian Television (ACT), along with Cliff Brooks, Jay Brinegar, and the late West Powell. Following many years of work, the group was granted a television construction permit from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) which presented the permit to the late Paul Crouch and the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). TBN constructed the Indianapolis/Greenwood television station which currently airs WCLI on Channel 42, cable-channel 2. Larry was a pioneer for Christian Television in Southern Indiana and one of his goals was for the Bedford/Bloomington area to be covered. As a result of his many years of work, his goal became a reality. Larry is survived by his wife Jerri, two sons; John and his wife Robin, of Scottsburg, IN., and Steve and his wife Beth, of Bloomington, IN., four granddaughters; Amber King (Barry) of Bedford, Stephanie Harbison (Zach) of Bloomington, Bailey Smith of Bloomington, and Lexie Smith of Bloomington. He is also survived by one brother; Russell and his wife Ella (McKnight), of Bloomington, and one sister; Linda Harmon (Randy) of Harrodsburg. He was preceded in death by his parents. Larry is missed by his family and loved ones and his love and commitment to God and community will be noticed for generations. Funeral Information Services will be on Tuesday, April 8th at 11 am at the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. Burial will follow in Clover Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, April 7th and Tuesday from 10 am until the time of service at Day & Carter Mortuary.