Larry Brandon Smith

Larry Brandon Smith, age 69, of Hickory, NC, passed away unexpectedly on the evening of November 10, 2014 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born in Baltimore, MD on September 7, 1945, he was educated in the Caldwell County Public Schools, graduating from Hudson High School in 1963, and Lenoir Rhyne College, where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He joined the United States Air Force in 1967, commissioning with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He served in the Air Force until 1972, serving as an instructor pilot at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL.

After leaving the Air Force, Larry developed an interest in computers, and applied those skills in several different industries, most recently as a testing coordinator for Burke County Schools for 17 years before retiring in 2012.

Other than his family and friends, he loved few things more than making people laugh. His sense of humor and antics will be missed by many. He was always eager to take friends and family for a ride in one of his two convertible Corvettes, although nothing ever measured up to the thrill of flying jets in the Air Force.

He is survived by Terry, his wife of 46 years; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Jennifer of Charlotte, NC, and son Mike of Charleston, SC; brother, Robert (Ada) of Hickory and children, Adrian (Jessica) and Marie; sister, Brenda White (Wesley) of La Crosse, WI and children, Shai (Ben), Brandon (Brenda); and special friend of the family, Wellington Stover of Charlotte, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Brandon and Estelle Cloer Smith of Hudson, NC.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014, with pre-service music beginning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 629 8th Street NE, Hickory, NC with Rev. Richard Fritz officiating.

The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Organ Fund of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 629 8th Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or to the Hickory Soup Kitchen, 131 Main Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601.