Lawrence R. Smith was born on April 9, 1926, in Palmyra, Missouri and passed away on August 2, 2013 in Elkhart, Kansas at the age of 87. His parents were W. C. “Bill” Smith and Adah F. Austin. The family moved to Morton County when he was just 6 months old and he spent the rest of his life in the area.

Lawrence attended schools at Wilburton and Elkhart. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1944 and had volunteered for military service before graduating. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Lawrence married Ruth Isom on September 8, 1949 in Clayton, New Mexico. They had been married for nearly 64 years when he passed away.

Lawrence was a rural mail carrier out of Elkhart for 30 years until his retirement in 1981. He also worked at Fisher’s Implement part-time and did contract work on the Cimarron National Grassland.

Lawrence was an avid hunter throughout his life. He especially enjoyed hunting pheasant and quail. He hosted hunters from many parts of the United States and foreign countries. Many local people may remember his slide programs of local flowers and birds. He enjoyed photography for many years.

Lawrence and Ruth traveled extensively through the years and had visited all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. After retirement, they took up bird watching together and had seen over 700 species during their travels. Many bird watchers came to Elkhart and were shown the local species by Lawrence and Ruth.

Besides his wife, Ruth, he is survived by three daughters – Leanna Smith of Levelland, Texas; Lori Coles of Meade, Kansas and Melinda Smith of Wichita, Kansas. Also surviving are two grandsons – Jamie Coles of Meade, Kansas and Jason Coles of Sterling, Kansas.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 5, 2013 at the Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart, Kansas with Pastor Terrell Giddens officiating. Friends may call Sunday, August 4, 2013 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart, Kansas. The family suggests memorials may be given to the Morton County Library or to the charity of your choice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.