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from Brenda Crandall March 16, 2011 Mr. Smith Thanks for confirming me as a friend. I have very fond memories of school, because of you. You made each student feel that they meant something to you. You genuinely cared about each and everyone one of us. thank you for that. I am an Lpn currently working at medford rehabilatation. The job is great. Mr. Patterson is one of the obunsmun represenative for the residents there. Prior to working at medford rehab I worked at the jackson count jail for a couple years, boy that was an expierience. Before the jail I waorked at Providence hospital for 19 years. I have 2 nephews Frank and Fletcher they are Theresa's sons. I love them both very much. I have never been married and I have no children, but that is why I have my nephews, so I can spoil them. My Mom lives in Central Point, she is retired. My brother drives a semi truck, and he lives in Phoenix Oregon. Take care glad to hear you have lots of grandkids to spoil. Take care Brenda

Larry and Linda Smith with President and Mrs. Carter in 2002 - Plains, Georgia.

Rod Johnson, Andy James, Chandler Bettis, Larry Smith, Brian Badura spending a day with their class studying the Jacksonville Cemetery. 1979 Debi Armbruster-Bisbee commented on Katie Bisbee's Wall post. Debi wrote: "Hello to you Larry! You will always be one of our most favorite teachers! A true roll model for Katie AND Griff, who is attending the University of Vermont and planning on becoming an inner-city English teacher. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!" (2011)

Larry Smith with student Joey Bean. Taken at Britt Park in Jacksonville by Joey's mother.

10-23-89 -- Observation (informal) of Larry Smith. I observed informally in Larry Smith's room today during a class session designed to involve student pairs in the location of the states within the US. He then had the class back to a normal grouping and involved them in a dialogue about teh various states. The class was animated and involved in the lesson. Things were going at a rapid pace and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time of learning. Larry Smith's strength is in the lively manner of presentation and the depth of the content being discussed. This was an interesting session and one which makes a great deal of sense. Involving the students in a debate, dialogue, discussion, or activity as participants is the way to go...and in this manner Larry Smith is a master. Principal Chuck Lockridge

Larry Smith - There is no question of the long hours Larry has put in to provide a meaningful educational experience for Jacksonville youngsters. His interest in the community is an asset, as is his love and respect for the awesome powers that created this unique part of the world in which we live.

After a night of Scream in the Dark - the gate receipts. A Campus Life fundraiser.

Larry celebrating Oregon's 150th in front of the Jacksonville Museum, 2009 Wife Linda on left -back Sharon Becker seating -

Larry Smith has spent the past 22 years helping create the Jacksonville Woodlands, e16 miles of interpretive and recreational trails on 320 acres in Jacksonville. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Photo 2005

February 07, 2005 By Sanne Specht Education Afoot A local teacher takes the lesson out of doors in celebrating the woods of Jacksonville. A s Larry Smith discusses his twin passions ' teaching kids and preserving Jacksonville's woodlands ' his eyes reflect both soft sentiment and steely determination. This is a lifelong commitment, says Smith. The youthful 64-year-old grandfather has spent more than 30 years teaching at local elementary schools and the past 16 years building the Jacksonville Woodlands Association ' a non-profit organization founded to purchase and preserve parkland in the hills surrounding his hometown. — With the help of Smith's students ' and federal, state, county, city and community efforts ' the organization has purchased 21 parcels which make up the 320-acre natural park. Grants, mostly written by Smith, have helped fund the & 36;3.5 million ongoing project that currently supports eight miles of interpretive and recreational trails.

Now Smith is about to be presented with a national award honoring his vision and leadership, says Marjorie Edens, Jacksonville resident and former Southern Oregon Historical Society field services coordinator. At the request of state historian Richard Engeman, Edens wrote an Award of Merit for the American Association of State and Local History in honor of Smith's contribution to Jacksonville ' a town that is itself a historic landmark. (The JWA) preserves our view, she said. There weren't many people who understood the vi44wscape is as important as the built landscape. Larry built his teaching career to incorporate these kinds of contributions back to the community. And I'm ever so grateful. Smith says JWA was born when a for-sale sign appeared in the Beekman Woods above his Laurelwood Drive neighborhood in 1988. Smith says he and another neighbor, Joe Raymond, discovered the land had been left to the University of Oregon.The tract was zoned for a 22-home development.

Determined to protect the viewshed and natural playground for the neighborhood's children, they formed the JWA in 1989. Although they raised $25,000 at their first public meeting, it took six years for the association to raise the property's & 36;126,000 asking price. The plan, says Smith, was to buy the woods and go out of business. But by then, Southern Oregon University had also decided to sell some property in the woodlands area. Smith couldn't resist adding to the dream when SOU made him a great offer. The 80 acres of property went to the JWA for the bargain price of & $140,000. They really worked with us, Smith says. Smith says he is proud of the numerous regional and four national awards the conservation project has garnered. He is equally proud of his community's contributions to the JWA's successes ' particularly those of his students.

Smith started teaching in 1966 and semi-retired in 1999. He still teaches at Medford and Jacksonville schools at least two days a week, he says. I missed it so much I went back, says Smith. Smith beams when he discusses how students helped build the JWA trails system. His students often joined him on the trail. In addition to getting a good physical workout, the students learned lessons in ecology, history, and civics. One of Smith's former students, Brian Mulhollen, brought the woodlands national attention when he received the Jefferson Award for public service in 1993. The 11-year-old had persuaded the city to sell a 10-acre parcel for the greatly discounted price of & $1,060. He asked me, 'Mr. Smith, how do we get it?' says Smith. I told him, 'Brian, we have to ask them for it.' And he did.

The 11-year-old had persuaded the city to sell a 10-acre parcel for the greatly discounted price of & $1,060. He asked me, 'Mr. Smith, how do we get it?' says Smith. I told him, 'Brian, we have to ask them for it.' And he did. Mulhollen, now 23 and father of two, says Smith's influence helped him find his path in life. He works with the Forest Service and was recently offered a job as a firefighter in Merlin. I'd walk to school with him every other day on those trails, says Mulhollen. I had a lot of ambition and a lot of drive. Larry helped channel it into something I can be proud of. That means everything to me. Mayor Jim Lewis says Smith's work on behalf of Jacksonville doesn't begin and end with the woodlands. Smith serves on at least eight committees and organizations, including the Crater Lake Institute, the city's budget and parks committees, he says. He continues to instill his values and good work ethic, Lewis says. This town owes him an awful lot. or info@jvwoodlands.org.

Larry Smith - left Lloyd Smith - right

Students often thought I was mad. They would ask, "Why don't you smile more?" I would tell them that I was smiling inside, just that God had made my face not full of smiles. Then I found this poster at an Alaskan eagle rehabilitation facility. It hung in my classroom for years explaining that while I was not smiling outside, in reality I was!