On March 14th, 2022, Lawrence Edward Smith of Bridger, Montana, peacefully surrounded by his family and amidst the loving tributes and visitations from friends, passed away at the age of 80 years.

Larry was born December 13, 1941 to Edna Martha Kreiger Smith and Edward David Smith in Flushing, New York. He was raised in Bayside Queens and moved to Copake Falls, NY in his youth. He attended Roeliff Jansen School, and then Franklin College (Franklin, Indiana) where he was President of Kappa Delta Rho. Larry graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree, and that Summer, joined the National Guard. Over six years in the National Guard, Larry was based at Camp Smith (NY), Fort Dix (NJ), Fort Knox (KY) and Camp Drum (NY). Among other responsibilities, his Army assignments included driving a jeep, although his careful driving style sometimes irritated senior officers.

Later Larry followed in his father’s footsteps, and started into a 30-year career in the toy industry under the guidance of Frank Gebbia. He married Carolyn Heiser in 1970, and soon thereafter, found a splendid piece of property in Upstate NY. When he told Carolyn about the rolling hills, running stream, and Catskill Mountain views she asked, “and how is the house?” He explained that there were some beautiful old dairy barns ideally situated on the property. And with that, he launched-into a complete renovation of the historic round roof dairy barn, which friends and neighbors viewed as a monumental project. They were even more amazed as he completed the renovation almost single-handedly, creating a homeplace unlike any other.

Together with Carolyn, he supported the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Summer Camps which offered country life experiences to inner city kids, opening their home year after year to kids who would otherwise have rarely seen life outside of the city. Larry enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others, as well as his love for the great outdoors.

Larry and Carolyn were soon joined by daughters Jennifer (born in 1977) and Allison (born in 1978). As the girls grew up, they added horses, pastures, and huge vegetable and flower gardens. A perfect day often included a trail ride through the woods, corn on the cob from the garden and a soak in the hot tub! Soon, he planted seedling evergreen trees in straight rows across the property, and built a thriving Christmas Tree business in the local community. A flat section of the old dairy yard was modified to become an official-sized tennis court, where Larry, while always polite and always tidy, was also always ready to beat you at tennis! However, the most cherished corner of the property was a pond that Larry designed and constructed. He built a dock, a float, and a screen room (lovingly called ‘the hut’) and spent countless hours enjoying the crystal-clear (cold) water with his family, friends, and dogs.

Family trips to Maine and Block Island gave way to vacations in Montana, where a ranch on the East Bench in Red Lodge caught Larry’s eye. Always aware of a special place and a good deal, he purchased the vast land with an old homestead and multiple old barns in 1988. He bought a separate property South of Bridger, Montana in 2005, and true to form, designed and built a custom home for him and Carolyn. From his chair in the living room, Larry always had an expansive view of the Beartooth Range along the Montana/Wyoming border, and he loved to sit and marvel at the changing sky and light on the rugged mountains. Meanwhile, he’d tell you about how he rescued the hundred-year-old paneling from a warehouse in New York, moved it all to Montana, and then restored and installed each panel to give his dream home special character and charm.

In Bridger, Larry served as the president of the Rock Creek / Clear Creek Ditch, about which he frequently groused, but which allowed him to keep track of things, and to demonstrate the same steadiness and disarming wit which guided his life and inspired his friends and family. He also served on the board of the Beartooth Humane Alliance, which facilitates adoptions of dogs and cats, sponsors spay and neuter programs, and teaches compassion towards companion animals. His beloved Charlie, a collie mix who was himself saved from a shelter in Montana, will tell you that Larry walked on water and hung the moon.

Larry was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Gregory Allen Smith, his sister-in-law Frances P. Smith, and his cousin Cindy Smith and her son Casey.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughters Jennifer and Allison, son-in-law Peter Heidmann, grandsons Johnny, Oliver and Noah, cousins Beverly Palmese, Faith White, Marion Smith, Pam Sieman, and Deborah and Mark Smith, and his best friends Dave Sullivan, John Wapner, Lowell Peterson and their families.  

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