By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL

Staff Writer

 

Family, friends and customers are mourning the loss of 74-year-old pharmacy owner Larry Wayne Smitherman, who was killed in a bush hog accident July 8.

Various news outlets are describing the incident as a “freak” accident.

Smitherman had left his residence to bush hog nearby, and did not return home after several hours.

Smitherman’s wife found him under his bush hog, his tractor still running at a low idle.

“It appears,” Assistant Chief Deputy Shane Mayfield said, “that a section of garden hose wrapped around the blades of the bush hog, and he had gotten under it to try to untangle it.”

Mayfield suggested the hydraulic pressure of the tractor was insufficient for suspending the bush hog for an extended period of time, issuing a tragic accident and immense loss to the Montevallo community when it could hold no longer.

Facebook has since erupted with posts and comments commemorating Smitherman, many Facebook users praising Smitherman’s character and love for the people in his life.

One post reads, “RIP Larry Smitherman. You will be greatly missed. What a great man you were.”

Another reads, “Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with the family of Larry Smitherman and his family.”

“He loved to travel and create memories with his family and friends,” Smitherman’s obituary reads. “He was an amazing cook and grill master who enjoyed sharing his dishes with family, friends, and co-workers. He was well-known for his sense of humor and his mischievous nature.”

Apparently an animal lover, Smitherman raised many kinds of animals on his farm, Heavenly Hidden Acres.

Smitherman is perhaps more widely known in the Montevallo community for Smitherman’s Pharmacy, which he owned and founded in 1966.

According to his obituary, Smitherman was a true Montevallo native. Born August 24, 1942, Smitherman grew up in Montevallo and graduated from Montevallo High School before completing his undergraduate at the University of Montevallo. Smitherman ultimately returned to the city of Montevallo after completing his graduate schooling at The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

Smitherman practiced pharmacy throughout the state for more than 50 years, returning to Montevallo where he worked the remainder of his life at Smitherman’s Pharmacy.

Smitherman’s obituary details memorial service times:

“Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo). A graveside service will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Shelby Memory Gardens. His memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of Montevallo. Pastor Lawton Higgs will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to First United Methodist Church of Montevallo, 861 Middle Street, Montevallo, AL 35115.”