LARRY JOE SMITH

Larry Joe Smith, of Shiloh, passed away April 29, 2020, in Mexia, at the age of 74. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at the Shiloh Cemetery with Brother Frank Pruitt officiating. Pallbearers will be Tom Johnson, Mike Cox, John K. Smith, Mike Bolton, Jonathan Bible and Sammy Scneider. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Smith, Mike Smith and Tucker Jacob.

Larry was born June 11, 1945, in Brady, to Joe Kirk and Billie Jean Burger Smith. After graduating from Poteet High School, he entered Oklahoma State and graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree. He taught school in Poteet from 1970 until 1973. Larry also spent many years in the rodeo arena as a professional steer wrestler. For the last 40-plus years, he owned and operated Larry Smith Trucking, a cattle hauling business.

Larry married Claudia Lynn Harris on April 11, 2001, in Houston. Although he never had any children of his own, he loved her sons, John and Kyle, as if they were his and there was nothing “grander” than the grandchildren. When they were around, he tried to spoil them as much as possible; they truly owned his heart.

Larry enjoyed the sports, outdoors, country music and country living. He was very outgoing, never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. He was very generous and willing to help people in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Billie Jean Smith.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Claudia, of Shiloh; stepsons, John Travis Harris and Robert Kyle Harris; grandchildren, Allison, Mark, Hayden and Madeleine Harris; brothers, Gene Smith of Gorman and Mike Smith of Mason; and numerous friends.

Please visit www.blairstubbs.com to leave the family a message of condolence or sign the guest book.