Mr. Larry O'Neal Petty's Obituary
Funeral Service for Mr. Larry Petty, 87, of Jackson's Gap, Alabama, will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Langley Funeral Home. Pastor Chad Harrison will officiate. Burial will follow in the Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm at Langley Funeral Home.
Larry O'Neal Petty passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Lake Martin Community Hospital. Born on April 7, 1938, he was the son of Mr. John Wesley Petty, Sr. and Mrs. Annie Pearl Whitman Petty. Larry grew up in the Eagle Creek community and around Mt. Caramel and Dudleyville Rd. His hometown roots were strong, and he never grew tired of the simple life in a small town. As a graduate from Dadeville, he continued to root for the Dadeville Tigers any chance he could get. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Navy which only added to his love for his country and its history. His time on the USS Hancock was one that brought him great pride and great memories. During his life, he worked for various companies such as AT&T with technology installation. Even after retiring in 1990, he continued to do contract work for several more years. Larry was a hard working man and enjoyed meeting people through his work, especially his friends that he made while in New York, but there was something about being home, which he aptly called his "Paradise." Chances are if you stopped by, you'd probably catch him tilling away in his "Garden of Eden," where he would spend hours making sure his garden was ready for planting, growing, and picking. His love for his family and friends could be shown with a plastic bag silently left on your doorstep filled with various vegetables that were picked with love.
Larry enjoyed making and eating breakfast every morning, complete with bacon and eggs, and then heading out to soak up the sun any way that he could. Lake Martin held a special place in his heart from the time he was young, water skiing and swimming with friends, to when he was older, watching his children and grandchildren splashing around. Larry was a one in a million kind of guy with a personality that could never be duplicated. He was honest to a fault with a lack of filtering which just made conversations more entertaining for those around him. He had a love/hate relationship with politics, enjoyed rooting for Alabama during football season despite being surrounded by Auburn fans, and never turned down a chance to sun bathe with a cold Coors in his hand. When he wasn't working in his garden, Larry enjoyed reading a good book, playing golf, and could play a mean game of dominoes. However, nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by his grandchildren and supporting them during their activities. "Paw Paw," as he was lovingly known, was always there whenever they needed him. Larry was a simple man, but the impact he left on those who loved him was anything but simple. He left a legacy of love for nature, compassion for your fellow man, and the reward of an honest day's work. They just don't make them like that anymore. Larry will always be remembered for the impact he had on the people within a community he loved so dearly.
Larry is survived by his daughters, Laurie (Sammy) Lorino, Renee (Curt) Sample, Chris (Mark) McClendon; Jenny (Wayne) Johnston; grandchildren, Ann (Robert) Morgan, Sam (Rachael) Lorino, Carson (Shauna) McClendon, Sean Sample, Lily Ann Johnston, Lindsey (Jacob) Boozer, Kaylyn (Jake) Badders; several great-grandchildren; and sisters, Sandra Petty Granger and Carole Petty.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Ann Petty, granddaughter, Madelyn Ann McClendon; parents, John Wesley Petty Sr. & Annie Pearl Petty; and siblings, John Wesley Petty, Jr., Harold Petty, Connie Jo Burkhalter, Geraldine Fuller, Glenda Jean "Dinky" Bailey and Evelyn Shelton.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.langleyfuneralhome.com.
Langley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Larry Petty.
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