Larry J Smith

Larry J Smith passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the age of 67. He was born February 21, 1959, in Jackson, Mississippi, the only son of Billy Joe Smith and Donna Marie Burroughs Smith. He was a 1977 graduate of Istrouma High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University in 1981.

Larry’s educational background, his role as a protector and his strong moral character led him to a tenured and successful career in law enforcement. He worked as an Arson Investigator with the State Fire Marshall’s Office, a Detective/Deputy Sheriff with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and ultimately provided security at the Federal Courthouse.

While managing at Roller City Skating Rink, Larry received a call asking about a skate case, he quickly provided the cost and ended the call. Little did he know that the caller on the other line was less than impressed with his tone and she promptly drove to the rink to finish the conversation. This was the beginning of a love story that lasted over 40 years. After just a few dates, he told Donna he was going to marry her. They met in October and a year later he did just that! Life has a way of repeating its best moments. Decades after her mother also met the love of her life at a skating rink, Donna found her own forever romance in the exact same way – a shared family legacy of love that began on a skate floor.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his older sister Joyce Ann Smith Alsup and his beloved German Shepherd, Eve.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Donna Denise Pixton Smith; their daughter Liesl Marie Smith; and his sister Laura K Smith-Olinde and husband Frank; his nephews, Corey Dean Sibley, and Eric Nathan Sibley and wife Michelle; his niece Destiny Marie McMillen and husband Joe; his great-nieces Madison, Hannah and Kinslee; his sister-in-law Kim Montgomery and husband Scott, and their children Andrew, Candace and Stephanie. Larry is also survived by his best friend of more than 40 years, Wayne Valentine and wife Judith; as well as countless other loving family and friends.

He was truly larger than life. Larry’s resume of talents was vast and never-ending! He was a prolific reader, history buff, bowling enthusiast, avid LSU fan, and enjoyed cooking jambalaya, gumbo and his grandmother’s famous teacakes for family and friends. Larry and Donna spent many nights on leagues at the bowling alley, where his claim to fame was an almost perfect game – scoring 299. Larry was an extremely talented musician. He played piano, organ, the upright bass, banjo and mandolin…oh, and he could sing! He was a former member of the LSU Symphony Orchestra and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. All this paled in comparison to who he was as a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He was honest and dependable, supportive beyond reproach and was the call that family and friends would make when they needed advice or a listening ear. At over six feet, Larry commanded the room, but to those that knew him, he was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. To his sister he was “Bubba”, to his daughter he was “hero” and to his wife he was “a confidant and shelter from the storm – the calm and caring protector that held the family together and would have done anything for anyone.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Graveside Service at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.

For those so desiring, memorials in honor of Larry J Smith may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com