Lawrence “Corky” Smedley was born on March 28, 1928 in a house on West Market Street in Salem, Indiana. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a DeMolay sponsor. He loved to read and enjoyed the stage and musicals. He was a member of the First Christian Church. He had three children and two grandchildren at the time of his death in 1986.

Corky will always be remembered for his love of horses, which started at an early age. As a young boy, he taught his pony to untie the ribbons in the hair of his younger sister. Thus started his long relationship with horses that would last the rest of his life, as he was never without a horse to break or train. Corky was also a highly respected horse show judge. He served as ring steward for the Corydon Labor Day AQHA show, as well as being show chairman of the Washington County Fair horse show.

He was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and horses. His wife, Sharon, commented, “He loved kids and liked to work with kids and horses. He delighted in teaching kids to ride.” Corky was a 4-H leader for many years, and a 4-H volunteer for even longer. The 4-H Horse and Pony Club (now the Lucky Leathers) flourished under his leadership. He served on the Area II Horse and Pony Committee and took his duties seriously. It was important to Corky that he keep his word; he would not agree to take on a responsibility that he couldn’t meet. And he expected the same dedication from others.

“The idea for a scholarship fund in Corky’s honor actually came to us before he died,” reflected Marji Morris, longtime friend of Corky’s. “It was so hard to watch him go through the chemotherapy. Corky was always so vibrant and alive, even after he got sick. We knew we wanted to do something to honor him and his indomitable spirit. He loved kids, horses and teaching kids to ride horses. A scholarship fund that helps the youth of Washington County advance their equine studies, either at camps or at the college level, just made sense. His friends needed to keep his memory and his desire to help kids alive.”

For Corky, there is an old saying that holds especially true: “There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” Corky’s friends, 4-H co-leaders, and loved ones, by establishing this scholarship fund, will help future generations of Washington County residents understand the meaning of that old saying.

You can learn more about Lawrence here. https://www.wccf.biz/donor-stories/317-smedley-lawrence-corky