Lawrence (Larry) J. Smith, Jr., of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Nokomis, Florida passed away February 19, 2009 at the age of 89. Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Inez Gabbert Smith.

Larry was a graduate of West Virginia University and had a Masters Degree from the University of Iowa. He was a professor at St. Louis University and then was with DuPont for thirty-five years, specializing in radiology.

He served with the 15th Army Air Corps in Italy as a navigator on B-24 Liberators during World War 1I, and survived being shot down three times and being captured by the Germans and imprisoned in Stalag 8 in Austria, where he became the last American prisoner of war to be released from German captivity.

Larry often remarked about his admiration for the Tuskegee Airmen who flew P-51 Mustangs as fighter escorts. He was still active in multiple POW/M1A organizations at his death.

An avid tennis player, Larry played on the USTA Super Senior circuit in Florida until shortly after his 80th birthday, when a back operation forced him to retire from tennis.

As a young man he loved chess and word games, with his love of words leading him into the field of speech pathology and then into teaching. He loved writing poetry and short stories.

Larry's wry wit, infectious enthusiasm, interest in others, and love of diversity endeared him to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Nelle Jean Holthouse Smith, with whom he shared 58 years of a loving marriage and a life filled with many friends and wonderful times. Jean and Larry have been known for their fun filled gatherings, which will never be the same without Larry's debonair and charming presence.

Larry was preceded in death by a daughter, Dr. Beverly Jean Smith, and is survived by a sister, Barbara Smith Powell , and four children, Emily Waverka and her husband Frank, Melanie Bulseco, Kimberly Manotti and her husband Jeff, Gregory Smith, seven beloved grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AAUW Beverly Jean Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1625, Harrisburg, PA 17105. A memorial service will be held at a June date to be announced at St. Catherine Laboure Church, Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA.