The Larry Smith Invitational Rook Tournament
Larry Smith (1920-1995): Later Years

Alabama Entrepreneur

Upon being discharged at Fort McPherson, Georgia, on April 21, 1946, Larry purchased a used army truck and drove home to Russellville. Larry's brother-in-law, A.W. Todd, hired him to work at the newly opened Franklin Lumber Company. Within the first year, A.W. offered Larry a full partnership in the company.

Larry later became full owner of the lumber company. Over the next thirty years, the company generated multimillion dollar gross revenues. Besides the lumber company, Larry owned a trucking company with 15 Mack trucks, heavy grading equipment, a poultry farm and a 1,500-acre tract prime timberland, which he leased to Champion Paper.

Spiritual Leader

Larry became an elder of the Washington Avenue church of Christ in 1963, where he served until his health began to fail after his first open heart surgery in 1975.

In 1984, because of further declining health, he and Masel moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, to be near their daughter Paula Hovater and her family in Roswell. After a second open heart surgery in 1985, Larry enjoyed an active senior life by studying the Bible, being foreman of Hovater Farm, inviting people into his home and playing his favorite card game, Rook.

On December 12, 1995, Larry died peacefully in his sleep and joined the "cloud of witnesses" cheering us on.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14, KJV

Christmas with the Hovaters