Larry Smith

Larry Smith - 2009

A celebration of life for Larry Smith

As many of you know already, Larry Smith, member of the Puget Sound Koi Club, on February 5^th passed away after a long struggle with cancer. The Koi world has lost a friend! As his wife, Marlene so appropriately noted, "he is safe in God's loving arms".

A celebration of life is scheduled for Larry at the Tacoma Sportsman’s Club, located at 16409 Canyon Road E, Puyallup, WA, Thursday 26^th at 1:00PM.

Those of you who knew Larry would remember the twinkle in his eyes when flashing a Hollywood smile towards those he greeted at many of the Northwest Koi Shows....read more below...

(click on any of the pictures for a larger view)

Larry was presented the Ed Fujimoto Award

at the 2004 PNKCA Convention.

Koi judges pose with Gloria Ricigliano and Larry.

JoAnn, Larry and Dan in happier times!!

There was other numerous Koi activities that Larry was involved with, such as the promoting and forming of the Yakima Koi & Water Garden Club, attending PNKCA Representative Meetings for the Yakima Club and also for the Puget Sound Koi Club. Larry was an enthusiastic Koi keeper, but his quest for knowledge led to breeding Koi and also being a dealer. Larry’s involvement with Koi and the fascination of breeding led to a great relationship with Ken Lui, of Barstow Koi Farms located at Newberry Springs, CA. Through this connection, Larry expanded his knowledge of Koi and interest in being a dealer both in the Yakima and Puyallup areas over the years. After living in the Yakima area for a while, Larry & Marlene moved back to the Puyallup area and ran a small back yard koi dealership.

His wife Marlene would like to find homes for all the koi, supplies, tanks and even some plants in the greenhouse including banana plants and gunnera starts (tropical plant of the genus Gennera, native to South America, having enormous leaves resembling rhubarb).

Larry poses with the rest of the Ed Fujimoto Award winners

(he's the tall guy behind Phyllis on the right)

And here's proof that Larry and Marlene could "cut a rug"

Pals - Larry, Gary, Frank and Jerry

The current President of Puget Sound Koi Club, Frank Douglas, is handling the re-homing of all fish and related fish items. Frank Douglas is available at 253-228-0170.

W. L. (Larry) Smith 8/10/1944 - 2/5/2009 God graced Larry with his final journey home on February 5. He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. His lifetime was filled with many accomplishments, adventures, family, loves, and friendships. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. Larry was a proud Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S.N., 1963 - 1967. He enjoyed his career as a firefighter in Tacoma, with many memorable moments and camaraderie with his fire department family. He retired in 1996. He loved riding the highways on his Harley Davidson with friends and family. Larry worked in the community as a coach for Little League Wrestling and was more excited than the kids when they won a match. Greatest joy was his hobby of raising koi and numerous koi-kichi friends he made. Favorite things he liked were fishing in Alaska with family and friends, a trip to southern Europe, and getting to fly an old war bird. Larry loved his family very much and we will miss him greatly. He is survived by his wife Marlene (Chalupa) Smith, daughter Robin (Andy) Fontaine, son Scott (Donna) Smith; grandchildren Alex, Jenna, Axel and Sydney; sisters Pat McCabe of Yakima, Sharon Grider of Lakewood, brothers Mel Smith of Yakima, and Steve Smith of Seattle; and extended family members. We knew that God was going to call your name. In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. A celebration of Larry's life will be Thursday, February 26, 2009, 1:00 pm, at the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club, 16409 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Multicare Hospice, P.O. Box 5200, Tacoma, 98415, or the American Cancer Society.