Larry M. Lewellyn, 81, of Crestview, Florida, died at home on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.
Larry was born on Sept. 2, 1940, in Washington County, to Everett and Marie (Durham) Lewellyn.
Larry left home at a young age, landing in southern California. There, he worked construction in the oil fields and served in the Army National Guard. He continued to visit family in Indiana, eventually meeting his future bride, Martha Richardson.
After navigating a long-distance relationship, Larry and Martha married on Aug.1, 1963, and settled in California. Larry remained in the oil fields, but received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1965. However, he continued to serve his community as a reserve policeman with the City of Fillmore and as a member of the Jaycees. He especially enjoyed coaching his Little League baseball teams and thought of his players as his bonus sons.
Larry’s life changed when he was injured in an accident in the oil field that resulted in a life-long disability. Being a father of three, his focus turned to his family. He took over household duties, becoming a house husband, an innovator of his time.
Eventually, Larry was ready to return to his roots. The family moved back to Indiana, where he and Martha bought a farm in Pekin. He grew vegetables, raised farm animals, and honed his cooking skills. He often mentioned how the Lewellyn men were all good cooks and no one could argue with that. Larry became active in the community serving as a precinct committeeman, president of the local Little League Association, and volunteering where he could.
Larry’s one regret was that he quit school after the 8th grade to venture out on his own. Determined to complete his education, he studied nightly and earned his GED in 1981. He and his family were very proud of this accomplishment.
Not ready to settle down, he and Martha made a few more moves. They spent five years in Myrtle Beach, where they made friends through their time at The Sahara Motel. After they learned of the upcoming birth of their first grandchild, they sold the farm and moved to Arizona where their daughter and son-in-law were stationed. In 1994, Larry became papaw when he welcomed the light of his life, granddaughter, Jordan. They formed a very close bond that lasted until his death. Jordan was soon followed by grandsons Jake, Nicholas and Jack. Arizona remained home for the next 23 years.
In 2016, Larry and Martha moved to Florida to be near family. Although his activity level slowed down, Larry continued to enjoy cooking, gardening, and traveling. Sundays you could find him watching NASCAR. He also followed his beloved Indiana Hoosiers basketball and Arizona Diamondback baseball, along with old westerns and classic country music. Above all else, Larry loved spending time with his family.
Those who mourn his passing are his loving wife of 59 years, Martha; his son, Michael Saunders; his daughter, Paula Richard and her husband Dan (who he considered another son); his son Mitchell Lewellyn; his grandchildren, Jordan Richard, Jake Richard, and Jack Lewellyn; two brothers, Jackie Terrell and Johnnie Terrell; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Lewellyn and Barbara Richardson; several cousins, many nieces and nephews who loved him as their own, and lifelong friends who felt like family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Thomas Lewellyn and Jerry Lewellyn, and his grandson, Nicholas Mitchell Lewellyn.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Martinsburg Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.
