Larry Lewis died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sat., Nov. 18, 2023.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sat., Nov. 25, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Farmville, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm in the church sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall after the service.  Please consider wearing your favorite golf shirt to honor “Big Lar”. 

Known as a Driver Education teacher to many Farmville Central high school students, an avid golfer to his buddies at Ironwood and Farmville golf courses, a Porsche enthusiast and historian, and, most importantly, a loving father and husband to his family.  Larry was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and a quick dry wit.  He was an innocent prankster and always had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Larry was born in Burlington Vermont and grew up in Hyde Park, NY.  In 1964, he was awarded a golf scholarship by ECU where he played on their team during his four years of college.  He earned his B.S. degree in history and his M.A.Ed. in Traffic and Safety Education at ECU. Most of his teaching career was spent at FCHS and DH Conley.

He met his wife of 55 years, Joyce Ramsey, after his freshman year, and they married after graduating in 1968.  He fell in love with the South and chose to make it his home.  He and Joyce moved to Farmville in 1972 and Larry considered himself a Farmville native with a northern accent.  He loved being a father and showered his children with unconditional love and support.

A life time of wonderful memories will be cherished by his wife, his son Patrick E Lewis (Amber Albright) of Arden, NC, his daughter Sarah E Lewis of San Francisco, CA and Chapel Hill, NC, his grandchildren Angelina, Matthew, and Sean Dorman of Arden, and his beloved grand dog Elbows. Larry embraced his children’s close friends and considered them his “adopted” sons and daughters:  Thorsten Wittmuetz (Hamburg, Germany) who spent a year with the family through the international exchange program, Jason Spencer (Farmville), Laura May (Nashville, TN), and Darlene Vick (Durham, NC) plus so many others.

Larry’s nephews and niece held a very special place in his heart:  Keith (Theresa) and children of Walden, NY, Derek (Kelci) of Wimington, NC, and Kim Coppola (John), children, and grandchildren of Canton, GA. 

He was a well-loved man of principle, faith, laughter, and joy.

Arrangements are by Farmville Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.farmvillefh.com.

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