Laurence Craig Smith

Laurence C. Smith, age 70, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017. Larry was born on May 18, 1946 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Larry was an avid reader, especially of Tolkien. His mother gave Larry his first Tolkien book for Christmas when he was 8 or 9. His favorite author list was extensive, it would probably have been impossible for him to have named just one. Larry was also an active member of the Science Fiction Community, selling books at conventions all across the country. He worked with Dick Spelman and eventually bought his book selling business which he grew and maintained for 25 years. Larry brought one convention, Marcon (a literary science fiction and fantasy convention), to Columbus 52 years ago, and then 25 years later co-founded another convention, OVFF (a music festival) with Evan Siegling. He worked on many regional conventions and Worldcons at all levels from staff to board of directors. During the 1970s, the team of Bob Hillis, Larry Smith and Ross Pavlac were considered the 7th Calvary who would come help fix whatever needed fixing. Larry was a friend to all those who knew him. Larry will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Sally A. Kobee; son, Ralph F. Smith; brother, Jeremy O. Smith; mother-in-law, Eileen Kobee; and brothers-in-law, Robert M. (Irrina) Kobee and Richard A. (Barbara) Kobee. He was preceded in death by both of his parents. Family will receive friends from 2-5 PM on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221. The funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, where family will receive friends from 12-2 PM, prior to the service. A wake will be at the Doubletree North, Fairfield room following the service till 8pm. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.