Garfield County Hospital District is proud to announce two Employees of the Month for December, Larry Smith and Kurt Miller. This week will feature Larry Smith who was nominated by his co-workers for being an excellent employee. His peers were quoted saying, "He is a great asset to Garfield County Hospital District."

Larry was born in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., raised in Puyallup and graduated from Governor Rodgers High School in 1983. One of Larry's first jobs after graduation was working seasonally for the Department of Ecology in Olympia through their Youth Program assisting highway cleanup and beautification projects. He was also employed during the summer months through the Department of Natural Resources as a fire fighter in the forest of Ahtanum, Wash., and worked on the red zone reforestation project as a tree planting inspector for Mount Saint Helen's National Forest in Cougar, Wash.

His last summer job entailed setting traps for the Gypsy Moths and Apple Maggots throughout Skagit County mapping their migration locations both latitudinally and longitudinally which he enjoyed.

Larry's love for working outdoors sparked an interest in a Forestry Tech Program which inspired him to apply to Green River Community College. With 1–2 classes shy of achieving a Forestry Certificate and an Associate in Applied Science, as fate would have it, life took a U-turn and Larry joined the Navy in 1987 serving as a machinist's mate working on the main engines.

His experience in mechanics, however, started years ago as a young child tinkering on his dad's vehicle and various farm equipment. In the Navy Larry was assigned to two aircraft carriers, the USS Carl Vinson, and the USS Ranger, during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Working in the bowels of the ship, he also served as a cryogenics technician, turning liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen in the generator plant for jet tires.

After serving six years as a 2nd Class Petty Officer and receiving an honorable discharge, Larry attended Everett Community College and received his Associates in Applied Arts in Automotive Engineering Certificate with high honors.

Larry was hired at Dwayne Lanes Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge as a mechanic diagnosing and repairing all make and models of vehicles. During his ten years, he was promoted to Lead Mechanic and assisted other techs and trained the Mopar CAP apprentices until they attained their journeyman level status.

He was hired on at Jim Marsh Chrysler/Jeep as a Shop Foreman Master Lead Technician and Diagnostician in 2017. A life-changing event occurred which forced him to make a career change. Larry moved his family to Pomeroy in 2020.

He applied for a position at the Garfield County Hospital District and was hired as housekeeper at the hospital; later applied for a maintenance position in August 2021. "He is hardworking at all tasks given to him," says staff. The harsh winter months of 2021 proved to be challenging in keeping up with the elimination of snow and ice on the loading docks, sidewalks, and parking lots of the hospital and clinic. "He helps out wherever needed with a smile, including long days of snow removal." His expertise in mechanics makes him a valuable and exceptional addition to the Maintenance Department. "Big Larry," as he's lovingly referred to for his 6'5 stature, has a quiet and gentle persona and the staff and patients alike enjoy his friendly greeting and helpful attitude. "He is always polite and demonstrates patience and kindness even on his busiest days."

Larry enjoys just about anything having to do with outdoors and loves to spend his time with his family in the mountains, hunting, camping and fishing at his yearly favorite destination spot, Sun Lakes, Wash.