Larry Smith named Tri-State Rodeo Grand Marshal

Posted

BY PCC STAFF

FORT MADISON - The Tri-State Rodeo is pleased to announce the Grand Marshal for the 2019 Rodeo Parade is Larry D. Smith.
Growing up in southwest Iowa near Creston, Larry considers himself an Iowa farmboy. He graduated high school near Creston, at what is now the CAM Community School District. He studied at Iowa State University in a pre-optometry program before finishing his degree at Indiana University.
Prior to moving to Fort Madison, Larry met the love of his life, Carolyn, who was also in the optometry doctoral program. The couple were later married in 1973, and have happily been so for the last 46 years. They chose to set their roots in Fort Madison, where they raised 2 wonderful kids, Christopher and Carrie.
Larry, along with his wife Carolyn, began their careers by opening Smith & Smith Eye Clinic in August, 1975. It was that same year that Larry started hocking food at the Rodeo as a way to get his face out in the Fort Madison community. Then in 2018, forty-three years later, Larry Smith, one of the most respected individuals in Fort Madison, decided to end his career with Tri-State Rodeo. Although Larry has served in just about every capacity available with regards to the rodeo, his service and commitment to the community stretch far beyond the rodeo world.
The list is quite extensive, but for starters, that same year, he and his wife opened the eye clinic, Larry also joined the Fort Madison Rotary and Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce, and is still an active member in both to this day.
Larry has also been a member of the Fort Madison United Methodist Church for 35 years, having served on various committees, such as finance, stewardship, administrative council, and pastor/parish/staff committees.
Other organizations and committees Larry was also a member of include the Fort Madison Jaycees for 10 years, Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District for 13 years from 1986-2009, Fort Madison Economic Development for 29 years from 1990-present, the Southeast Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission for 15 years from 1995-2010, both the Community Foundation of North Lee County and the SCC Foundation Board for 6 years from 2011-2017, the Baxter Sports Complex Board for 7 years from 2012-present, and the PORT Trails Committee for 5 years from 2014-present, just to name a few!
But the list goes on. Larry has volunteered his time for various other organizations as well, all while running a successful practice for 36 years. His commitment and love for the community knows no bounds. We congratulate Larry on this distinction, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors!

fort madison, Grand Marshal, Larry Smith, parade, Pen City Current, Rodeo, Tri-States

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here