Larry and I laughed and then he cried. I thought.
Actually, he died.
Today, the BTL Band lost a brother and Kitty lost her man. Their four children lost their Daddy. Today we are crying, grieving and shocked beyond sadness. We’re numb. We’re lost.
Today, Larry is HOME. Instantly transported into the arms of our Father. I thank God for my friend, my fellow builder, my brother, and for hope beyond the grave. Larry will see us again. As believers we do NOT say goodbye. Instead we say….
LARRY, we’ll see you later.
May GOD bring Kitty, the family, the band, friends and all of you a peace that is larger than the shock of our loss.
God.
Help us…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Amen.
“Why are YOU here?”
This is a question we all must answer. I did not want to, but I learned to at about 1/2 the age most men consider it. Larry’s kids must learn sooner — at about 1/4 to 1/3 the age. A wise man taught me and Larry that once you settle the answer of death, you can truly begin with dealing with the real question of — how to LIVE.
Larry learned how to LIVE. He wasn’t done learning — he would tell you that! He was on the accelerated curve to really learning HOW to live — he called that OPUS. The opus, or “life masterpiece” of great work AND life.
I am in deep grief as I write for Larry and his family — the overly familiar headache is all too familiar.
There is much more to write, I know Larry and God will not have it any other way. But right now all I can think about, and write about, is LOVE.
LOVE allows you to experience the joy, the burdens, the pains — AND THE LIFE going in & out of others — and still draw near all the more. That’s a gift Chet helped both Larry and I understand in new ways — you can read our stories in the “builder’s journeys” on our web site. Bottom line? We must become BUILT TO LIVE before we can ever become BUILT TO LEAD. And to become BUILT TO LIVE we must become BUILT TO LOVE.
Thank you for LOVING me, Larry. Thank you for your making me part of your LEGACY. Thank you for BELIEVING IN ME and teaching me to believe what I couldn’t see. Yes, you helped me believe, and understand, that LEADERS ARE BELIEVERS.
YOU are in the presence of our Lord. AND you’ve left me with an unfinished book to write — which will be yet another “ripple” in your legacy. Legacies are built on the PRODUCTIVE ACTIONS of what God showed you that you said “YES” to.
I love you. AND I miss you already.
You are close in our prayers, dear Kitty, Bekah, Rachel, Jim, and John. Larry so deeply impacted so very many lives in the most positive way. He took me under his big wing, and I will never forget a word of his advice. Our sadness will be surpassed only by the warm echo of Larry’s sincere encouragement to live our OPUS, as he did. God bless you.
While those here will be in some degree of pain, and his absence will surely be felt. Let there be great celebration in the knowledge he is sitting at the King’s Table today…
Larry cared about the unborn children and was their faithful advocate for many years. There was much to appreciate about Larry, but seeing him quietly faithful to such a weak and humiliating work is the thing I appreciated most about the work of God in his life. We will miss Larry. May he rest in peace. May God comfort you, Kitty, and your children.
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away. Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:10-12)
Larry’s legacy continues as LifeHouse dedicated their second home just this past Saturday (5/16). As one of the founders of our ministry, his impact lives on in the lives of the women and their unborn babies that we have a privilege to minister to day in and day out.
This morning at breakfast with Chet I asked “What would Larry do?” if he were with us in these circumstances. Chet thought for a little while, and said he knew what Larry would do. He would urge us all to acknowledge our shock and pain and loss, AND to “practice the art of ‘being with’.” Dr. Allen, the big former college football lineman, the straight-talking, straightforward, objective, impatient, sensory, logical thinker, was also the man with the BIG heart–a teddy-bear. Larry knew that sometimes, there are to be “sighs too deep for words” in this world. We’re sighing that way today. It’s time simply to be with those who need us.
We grieve with Kitty, and with Bekka, Rachel, Jim, and John. The Band will miss you, Larry, with your love for us and the work we carry on now in your absence. Physically absent only, because your presence and perspectives are imbedded in the content. I wish I had said how much I admired you, but I will tell you this: you left this life FULLY ALIVE. That’s my goal–to be fully alive when I die. Thank you, Larry.
As i learned about Larry’s death i cried, tears were in my eyes thinking i can’t believe Larry died. I loved being with Larry if it was going out to lunch, riding bikes, golfing, and coaching. Larry taught me how to be a man of faith, character,
and loving person. As i spent my time with Larry i learned so much on what matters in life, Family, Faith, and Friends. He was a dear friend of mine and i will miss him dearly. My brother and i called him The Larr Bear. I will pray for Kitty, Bekka, Rachel, Jim, John. He was a loving husband and father. I love you Larry and i will miss you like crazy. You were an Inspiration to me. Warmest Regards
Larry