Larry Andrew Smith

Larry Andrew Smith, 82, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, with his beloved wife of nearly 60 years by his side.

Born on February 14, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, Larry spent his childhood as a military brat, living in places as far-reaching as Virginia, Japan, Germany, Washington, and Vietnam. As the eldest of nine siblings, he developed a strong work ethic early on—holding jobs at the commissary in Saigon and even working on a dude ranch in Northern California before finishing high school.

Larry graduated from high school in Vietnam, where he was a popular student and MVP of the baseball team. Shortly after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed boot
camp at Fort Polk, Louisiana; graduated from the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia; and proudly served as an Army Ranger in Vietnam. He was honorably
discharged from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, soon after meeting the love of his life and best friend, Bonnie Faye Allen. After a brief engagement, they began a long and joyful
life together.

Throughout his life, Larry explored several careers, but he was a born salesman—able to sell anything from insurance and cars to RC and Pepsi-Cola. He trained as a lineman
for the Nashville Electric Service and later dedicated over 30 years as a salesman and long-haul truck driver for the Pepsi Bottling Company. He was well known and well liked
along his Charlotte Avenue route, at Bellevue Church of Christ, the Bellevue YMCA, and among his friends at Warner Golf Course and Music City Kayak.

Larry shared his love of sports and the outdoors with everyone around him—fishing, golfing, baseball, camping, mountain biking, and traveling were among his favorite
pastimes. He was a witty and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Smith; his daughters, Tammy and Paula; his son-in-law, Stephen; and his cherished grandchildren, Annabelle and Andrew. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Smith.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Monday, September 8, at 1:00 p.m. at Bellevue Church of Christ, 7401 Highway 70 South. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  https://www.stjude.org/

Larry’s legacy of strength, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Arrangements are in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37209.  615-857-9955.  We are proud to be locally owned and operated.