LaRoy W. Smith was born on April 26, 1942 to Alyce and Roy Smith in Liberty, Texas. He grew up in the small rural community of Tarkington Prairie where his grandfather had established a small country store. He was surrounded by his aunts, uncles, cousins and his grandfather; all of whom played a key role in his childhood. He attended Tarkington Prairie High School where he graduated at the top of his class with honors. After high school he went to College Station, Texas to attend Texas A&M University where he later received a degree in Electrical Engineering. with his diploma in hand, he went to work for NASA at Clear Lake City, Texas and worked on some of the early space explorations. He was privileged to work for two Fortune 500 Companies, IBM and Wells Fargo.
On March 21, 2002 LaRoy was diagnosed with early on-set of Alzheimer's. As his world grew smaller, he picked up his camera and began to capture the beauty of the desert and the Tucson sunsets.
LaRoy is survied by: Bettie J. Smith, his wife and high school sweetheart.
Three children:
Carol Smith of, Tucson, Airzona, Chris Smith of, Aspen Colorado and Jennifer Carriere of Tucson Airzona.
Six Grandchildren:
Nicholas and Gina Stanghellini
Hayden, Hope, Halle and Hudson O'Leary.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Miracle Center P.O. Box 30308 Tucson, Airzona 85751-0308.
The Miracle Center is a non-profit organization that works with homeless women in the Tucson community.
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