Larry James Smith was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 28, 1944 to Mary Cook and William Shelby, Sr. He was the youngest of three children. His parents, sister and brother preceded him in death. Larry graduated from high school in 1962 and was then drafted into the U.S. Army. He served at Fort Hood, Texas and was honorably discharged in 1964. After his discharge from service he worked at the Alvern Hotel, the St. Louis Housing Authority and finally Missouri Pacific Railroad, where he started as the first black ramp supervisor ever hired by the company. Larry retired from this position in 1996 because of his heart condition. Larry met his wife Odessa Smith (Hollis) in 1973. It took him eleven years to convince her to marry him and on the 1st of February 1984 they were married. Of this union there were no children, but they had a large extended family of nieces and nephews whom they nurtured into adulthood. Larry had an avid love of military history and researched all the armies of the world. He wrote several articles that were published in well known military publications. To his family he was known as the "know it all" uncle because of his need to get his point across whether in an argument or general conversation. He was also the straight-faced, out of the blue, comedian who had you laughing wondering where did he get that from. Larry departed this life on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at DePaul Health Center after a very long illness. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Odessa Smith (Hollis); nephew/son, Stanley Reese (Sharon); sisters-in-law, Betty Shelby (William), Bessie Williams, Pearl Boyd, Phoebedelle Mitchell (John); brother-in-law, Willie Hollis (Paulette) and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Larry Smith. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.