Larry Ray Smith

Larry Ray Smith 1943 - 2023 Larry Ray Smith, 79, of Napa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center following a lengthy illness. Larry was born October 21, 1943 in San Francisco, the son of the late James Ira and Emma Jayne Vandever Smith. With his family he moved to Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, and eventually graduated from San Juan High School in Sacramento. He adored his mother and often enjoyed cooking with her. After high school, with Larry’s skills as a carpenter, the U.S. Navy made use of him in the Seabees for the next four years, including two tours in Viet Nam. Larry had two children with his first wife Peggy, a son James who died at age seven, and a daughter Marilyn. In 1980, Larry met Napa native, Audrey Solari. On June 12, 1982 the couple was married in the Beazley House in Napa to the tune of “Always and Forever.” Larry served as a painter at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Shop 71, where he spent his hours maintaining submarines. He retired after more than twenty years there. For more than 27 years Audrey and Larry opened their home to girls in their teens as foster parents—many still calling Larry “Dad”. Larry was much loved and well thought of—always a familiar “I love you man!’ could be heard as his greeting or farewell. He relished time spent playing Santa Claus at the Boys and Girls Club in Napa and also at the Yellow Brick Road Preschool where his daughter Melissa worked. Larry loved his period music all from the 1960’s and 1970’s—his favorite The Rolling Stones! He was a huge 49ers and Warriors fan and known for his always growing collection of MatchBox cars and detailed scale models from the Bradford Exchange. Larry loved cars and he and Audrey made frequent trips to Hot August Nights with close friends John and Janis McCall. He also collected Joker cards from decks, coins, and jigsaw puzzles were a favorite—completing 1000 piece puzzles in few days, he had a system down. Larry will be remembered as a loving family man and patriot. Larry was preceded in death by his parents James and Emma Smith; brothers Jim and Bill, sister Lucille (“Sis”); and beloved son James. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-one years, Audrey Smith; their children: Melissa Guitierrez and her husband Juan, and James “Jim” Smith; daughter Marilyn Viramontes; brother Mike Smith and his wife Toni; Grandchildren: Marilyn’s children Samantha, Jacob, and Joshua; Melissa’s children Anthony Rivera, Michael Rivera and his wife Josie, and Tito Rivera and his wife Leila, and Liliana “Lilly” Benavidez; Jim’s children Haylee and Gunnar Smith; great grandson (Tito’s son) Angelo Rivera, Michael’s son Emiliano and soon to be expected great granddaughter, Mayabella—due on Larry’s birthday in October. Larry also leaves his adoring felines NeNe, Juni, Simba, and Joey. A service to celebrate Larry’s life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel, 2383 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa. Military Honors will be offered by the United States Navy. “I LOVE YOU MAN”

Tributes

Larry Ray Smith

October 21, 1943 - June 13, 2023