Larry Deon Smith,72, of Columbia, passed away on August 23, 2023. Larry was born November 16, 1950, about 20 minutes after his twin brother. He grew up in Lexington, SC, attended USC Columbia earning a degree in Computer Science, and spent 6 years in the National Guard at McIntire Air Force Base, receiving an Honorable Discharge.

Larry had many diverse interests and avocations. He got into mountain climbing, especially in Yosemite Park's challenging routes on El Capitan. Larry also started scuba diving in college, became an open water dive instructor and certified hard hat diver. He traveled to many sites around the Florida Keys, San Salvador Island in the Bahamas as well as the Dry Tortugas.

Larry later started a high-power model rocketry store after he and his young son, Daniel, got into hobby rocketry with Estes Model Rockets. He and Daniel traveled extensively to launches around the country. Larry built rockets for the lightening research center in Florida and developed a liquid fuel rocket motor for a Las Vegas company. Larry was an avid water skier and member of Lake Murray Sailing Club and sailed his 18-foot Hobie Cat all over Lake Murray solo.

For the last several years, Larry and his twin owned and operated a computer consulting business together where Larry worked for Bennedict College. Larry also spent many years in sound frequency healing and traveled to many healing fairs. He helped teach meditation to thousands of people for pain and stress reduction. Larry and his partner, Ashley, owned and operated Angel Oaks Healing Center for many years. Larry will be missed by all those people he influenced and most especially by his family.

Larry is survived by his partner of many years, Ashley Roberson, brothers Harry (Susan), Wally (Sheri) and his son Daniel (fiancée Sarah Trice and her son Bennett), a nephew and niece. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Carolyn Smith.

The funeral service for Mr. Smith will be held at 10:30 o'clock on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Extension, Columbia, SC 29223. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private committal service will take place at a later date. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.