Larry R. Smith

Mr. Larry Roger Smith, 81 of Kincaid passed away Monday, January 27, 2025, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. 

He was born May 6, 1943, in Taylorville, the son of Paul and Lucille Smith. 

He married his 7th grade school sweetheart Mary Lee Scremin on March 8, 1964. 

Larry was raised on a farm outside of Kincaid, where his nickname was the ‘Turk.’ He loved riding his horse, Ginger, around town and to school. He graduated from South Fork High School in 1961. He was active in sports and won numerous honors while playing football.  

He continued his education and football career at Western Colorado State University.  

In the fall of 1966, he returned to Kincaid and began teaching Industrial Arts and Drivers Ed, and soon returned to the sports, coaching football, baseball, and basketball for the Ponies.  

He loved teaching Industrial Arts; it was his passion, all of his students in Building Trades classes were taught many valuable skills that can be carried forward and used in their adult lives. 

Following his time coaching, on April 1, 1995, he was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  

After 35 years of teaching, he retired and began helping anyone and everyone in the community. He owned his construction company for over 50 years and loved being with and telling Kirchhoff what to do. In November of 2024, he retired from doing construction.  

His greatest joy in life was watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He never missed a game, and he would always be cheering in the stands. He also enjoyed taking trips with the camper, helping others, and spending time watching TV (Wheel of Fortune).  

Surviving are his wife, Mary Lee; one daughter, Shelley Daigh; two grandchildren, Kendra (Curtis) Rozenboom, and Hailee Daigh; one sister, Crella Welge; five great-grand pups, Juneau, Leia, Luna, Jaxx, and Duke; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff, Mother and Father, his brothers, Donald and Ronald Smith, his Brother-in-Law, Tom Welge, and his Sister-in-Law, Janice Smith.  

Visitation will be from 4-7, Sunday, February 2, 2025, at South Fork Jr Sr High School, 612 Dial St. Kincaid, IL. Services will be Monday, February 3, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Masterson Funeral Home. Following will be the burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Judes Children Hospitals, Disabled Veterans or the South Fork High School athletic department. 

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