Larry Gene Smithee

Larry Gene Smithee, age 74, died Monday, October 9, 2017 at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was born in Batesville, Arkansas to Juanita Dobbs Smithee and the late B.W. Smithee. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Christine Smithee, mother Juanita Smithee, sister Diane (Michael) Dodd, nephews Andrew (Marcie) Dodd, Steven (Mandy) Dodd, Christopher (Georgiana) Grant, and David Grant, great nieces Isabel and Olivia Dodd, Clio and Helen Grant, brother-in-law Stuart Wallace, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patricia and Samuel Grant, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees at Arkansas State University and his doctoral degree at Washington University in St. Louis, all in music education. His teaching career has spanned many levels of music education, from elementary students through college, retiring from Maryville College in Maryville, TN in 2012 after 21 years of service. His love of the trumpet began at age 12, and he has performed with many bands and ensembles, most recently the Tennessee Wind Symphony, Ensemble Swing Time, and Knoxville Concert Band. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 858 Louisville Road, Alcoa, TN, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00, celebrated by Father William McNeeley. Interment will follow at the church columbarium. Flowers are acceptable, or donations may be made to The Smoky Mountain Animal Care Foundation, 233 Currie Ave., Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Larry Gene Smithee please visit our Sympathy Store.