Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Grandpa Larry

Larry

Lawrence L. Reed
November 4, 1921-January 30, 2016

My sweet father in law passed away in his sleep this weekend.  You all remember him as Grandpa Larry.  We moved him up to live near us when his wife passed away nearly five years ago, and we were so fortunate to have him close by.  As his dementia became more severe, it was increasingly difficult for us to care for him, and the decision was made to have him move into a memory care facility.  His essential sweetness of character was his trademark to the end, which made him very popular indeed with his caregivers.

Larry was a proud veteran of World War II, where he served in the US Navy.  He was known for his ever present baseball cap, proclaiming his service and the branch of the military he served in.  After his wartime sacrifice, he went to college on the GI Bill, and earned a PhD in Microbiology from Michigan State.  He held many prestigious positions over the years, and participated in several US Space Research programs for NASA.  When he retired, he was able to live comfortably and do some much anticipated traveling with his wife.  He loved photography, particularly landscapes and outdoor scenes.

He was intelligent, but more than that he was kind.  Kind and generous and giving to his family.  I swear my daughter Sara never would have made it through high school without him tutoring her in math several times a week.  He gave so much more than he took.  He helped us out financially when we needed it, but more importantly, he gave us his time.  He was always there for us, his good natured, slow talking, patient self.  He was someone to look up to, and I can say without a doubt that he never let us down or disappointed us in any way.  Through good times and bad, he was a constant presence of stability and support.  He was a man of good character and integrity.  He was someone to look up to.

In his final two years of life, he wasn't able to talk to us, but we knew by the expression of delight in his eyes when we came to visit, that he knew we were his people and that we loved him.  He was a fine man, and lived a good life.  He will be very much missed.

144 responses to “Grandpa Larry”

  4. Condolences to you and your family. In time, the wonderful memories of Grandpa Larry will replace the sorrow of your loss.

  5. Condolences to you and your family. In time, the wonderful memories of Grandpa Larry will replace the sorrow of your loss.

  6. Condolences to you and your family. In time, the wonderful memories of Grandpa Larry will replace the sorrow of your loss.

  7. So sorry for your family’s loss. Wishing you all find comfort in your memories of Grandpa Larry.

  8. So sorry for your family’s loss. Wishing you all find comfort in your memories of Grandpa Larry.

  9. So sorry for your family’s loss. Wishing you all find comfort in your memories of Grandpa Larry.

  10. I am so sorry for your loss. From what you have written about him over the years, and today, I know he will be severely missed in your family. You had such a loving way to describe Grandpa Larry, that I really grew fond of him.

  11. I am so sorry for your loss. From what you have written about him over the years, and today, I know he will be severely missed in your family. You had such a loving way to describe Grandpa Larry, that I really grew fond of him.

  12. I am so sorry for your loss. From what you have written about him over the years, and today, I know he will be severely missed in your family. You had such a loving way to describe Grandpa Larry, that I really grew fond of him.

  13. My heartfelt sympathy to your wonderful family in the loss of Grandpa Larry. Your loving words describing how he chose to live his life are a fine eulogy for this beloved man.
    Tears and big hugs to all.

  14. My heartfelt sympathy to your wonderful family in the loss of Grandpa Larry. Your loving words describing how he chose to live his life are a fine eulogy for this beloved man.
    Tears and big hugs to all.

  15. My heartfelt sympathy to your wonderful family in the loss of Grandpa Larry. Your loving words describing how he chose to live his life are a fine eulogy for this beloved man.
    Tears and big hugs to all.

  19. Nicole, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Grandpa Larry. I know how much you loved him as it showed each time you spoke of him in your blog. Please know that you have many friends who will be with you during this time of loss and who pray for you and your family.

  20. Nicole, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Grandpa Larry. I know how much you loved him as it showed each time you spoke of him in your blog. Please know that you have many friends who will be with you during this time of loss and who pray for you and your family.

  21. Nicole, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Grandpa Larry. I know how much you loved him as it showed each time you spoke of him in your blog. Please know that you have many friends who will be with you during this time of loss and who pray for you and your family.

  28. So sorry for all your family. Your posts about him over the years showed how much you cared for him. He was lucky to have such a loving daughter-in-law.

  29. So sorry for all your family. Your posts about him over the years showed how much you cared for him. He was lucky to have such a loving daughter-in-law.

  30. So sorry for all your family. Your posts about him over the years showed how much you cared for him. He was lucky to have such a loving daughter-in-law.

  34. God bless you and yours. What a tribute. It would have been an honor to have known him……..prayers. G

  35. God bless you and yours. What a tribute. It would have been an honor to have known him……..prayers. G

  36. God bless you and yours. What a tribute. It would have been an honor to have known him……..prayers. G

  37. He sounds like the type of person that we all want to be. You have beautiful memories of him.

  38. He sounds like the type of person that we all want to be. You have beautiful memories of him.

  39. He sounds like the type of person that we all want to be. You have beautiful memories of him.

  40. My heart feels a bit of the loss with you and brings tears to my eyes. I have appreciated the loving care you have given to him. What a treasure to have this picture of him holding his great grand daughter. Hugs and love to you and your family. I pray that the comfort of all those sweet memories help you as you say goodbye.

  41. My heart feels a bit of the loss with you and brings tears to my eyes. I have appreciated the loving care you have given to him. What a treasure to have this picture of him holding his great grand daughter. Hugs and love to you and your family. I pray that the comfort of all those sweet memories help you as you say goodbye.

  42. My heart feels a bit of the loss with you and brings tears to my eyes. I have appreciated the loving care you have given to him. What a treasure to have this picture of him holding his great grand daughter. Hugs and love to you and your family. I pray that the comfort of all those sweet memories help you as you say goodbye.

  52. Your words are a beautiful tribute to a beloved family member. My deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of a wonderful man.

  53. Your words are a beautiful tribute to a beloved family member. My deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of a wonderful man.

  54. Your words are a beautiful tribute to a beloved family member. My deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of a wonderful man.

  58. wish the world had more people like grandpa larry. what a wonderful wonderful man. hugs to you and your family.

  59. wish the world had more people like grandpa larry. what a wonderful wonderful man. hugs to you and your family.

  60. wish the world had more people like grandpa larry. what a wonderful wonderful man. hugs to you and your family.

  64. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your words about Grandpa Larry are so sweet and kind. He was a lovely man and will surely be missed.

  65. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your words about Grandpa Larry are so sweet and kind. He was a lovely man and will surely be missed.

  66. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your words about Grandpa Larry are so sweet and kind. He was a lovely man and will surely be missed.

  67. You have my sympathy, Nicole. That was a beautiful tribute, to what sounds like a beautiful human being! God bless!

  68. You have my sympathy, Nicole. That was a beautiful tribute, to what sounds like a beautiful human being! God bless!

  69. You have my sympathy, Nicole. That was a beautiful tribute, to what sounds like a beautiful human being! God bless!

  73. Deepest sympathies on your loss. You wrote so warmly of him (as you do with all of your family) that I almost felt that I knew him.
    I know your loss is deep, but perhaps knowing that he and your mother-in-law are together can give you and your family some comfort.
    Hugs to all

  74. Deepest sympathies on your loss. You wrote so warmly of him (as you do with all of your family) that I almost felt that I knew him.
    I know your loss is deep, but perhaps knowing that he and your mother-in-law are together can give you and your family some comfort.
    Hugs to all

  75. Deepest sympathies on your loss. You wrote so warmly of him (as you do with all of your family) that I almost felt that I knew him.
    I know your loss is deep, but perhaps knowing that he and your mother-in-law are together can give you and your family some comfort.
    Hugs to all

  76. I’m so sorry Nicole. We lost my FIL a year ago, and I understand exactly what you are saying. My deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to your family.

  77. I’m so sorry Nicole. We lost my FIL a year ago, and I understand exactly what you are saying. My deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to your family.

  78. I’m so sorry Nicole. We lost my FIL a year ago, and I understand exactly what you are saying. My deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to your family.

  79. I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds wonderful, with all the most important traits and characteristics one can hope for. What a blessing he has been in your lives. What wonderful memories you have to cherish.

  80. I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds wonderful, with all the most important traits and characteristics one can hope for. What a blessing he has been in your lives. What wonderful memories you have to cherish.

  81. I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds wonderful, with all the most important traits and characteristics one can hope for. What a blessing he has been in your lives. What wonderful memories you have to cherish.

  82. Sorry for your family loss. I have to say, your last paragraph of this post was amazing. “he knew we were his people”. HOW AWESOME to recognize this and state it so well. It’s what we all want, our people around us as we age. Tears have welled up as I read this post. Hat’s off to Larry, he has served us ALL!

  83. Sorry for your family loss. I have to say, your last paragraph of this post was amazing. “he knew we were his people”. HOW AWESOME to recognize this and state it so well. It’s what we all want, our people around us as we age. Tears have welled up as I read this post. Hat’s off to Larry, he has served us ALL!

  84. Sorry for your family loss. I have to say, your last paragraph of this post was amazing. “he knew we were his people”. HOW AWESOME to recognize this and state it so well. It’s what we all want, our people around us as we age. Tears have welled up as I read this post. Hat’s off to Larry, he has served us ALL!

  88. May all your good memories of Grandpa Larry bring comfort and peace. Your tribute to him is beautiful.

  89. May all your good memories of Grandpa Larry bring comfort and peace. Your tribute to him is beautiful.

  90. May all your good memories of Grandpa Larry bring comfort and peace. Your tribute to him is beautiful.

  91. I grew to love Grandpa Larry as well from reading your many stories about him. His true testament was how much he was loved by you all.

  92. I grew to love Grandpa Larry as well from reading your many stories about him. His true testament was how much he was loved by you all.

  93. I grew to love Grandpa Larry as well from reading your many stories about him. His true testament was how much he was loved by you all.

  97. So sorry, Nicole. Grandpa Larry always sounded like such a sweetheart when you wrote about him…

  98. So sorry, Nicole. Grandpa Larry always sounded like such a sweetheart when you wrote about him…

  99. So sorry, Nicole. Grandpa Larry always sounded like such a sweetheart when you wrote about him…

  100. I know you are rejoicing his life and he lived a long one, but the sadness is there for sure. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you will be happy with the memories left behind and the stories to tell and retell as often as needed.

  101. I know you are rejoicing his life and he lived a long one, but the sadness is there for sure. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you will be happy with the memories left behind and the stories to tell and retell as often as needed.

  102. I know you are rejoicing his life and he lived a long one, but the sadness is there for sure. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you will be happy with the memories left behind and the stories to tell and retell as often as needed.

  103. Dear Nicole – so sorry to read about Grandpa Larry. This is another great loss for your family. You’ve written the most beautiful tribute to a wonderful man.

  104. Dear Nicole – so sorry to read about Grandpa Larry. This is another great loss for your family. You’ve written the most beautiful tribute to a wonderful man.

  105. Dear Nicole – so sorry to read about Grandpa Larry. This is another great loss for your family. You’ve written the most beautiful tribute to a wonderful man.

  106. I am sending you and your family my sympathies, Nicole. Very nice words you wrote. Take care this week.

  107. I am sending you and your family my sympathies, Nicole. Very nice words you wrote. Take care this week.

  108. I am sending you and your family my sympathies, Nicole. Very nice words you wrote. Take care this week.

  109. So sorry to read of your loss. Not easy saying the final goodbye, even when you have already lost a person in so many ways.
    You and your family will be in my prayers.

  110. So sorry to read of your loss. Not easy saying the final goodbye, even when you have already lost a person in so many ways.
    You and your family will be in my prayers.

  111. So sorry to read of your loss. Not easy saying the final goodbye, even when you have already lost a person in so many ways.
    You and your family will be in my prayers.

  112. My sympathies. I know how hard it is to go through this. But I believe we will see our parents one day and we will all be healed. God bless you and your family.

  113. My sympathies. I know how hard it is to go through this. But I believe we will see our parents one day and we will all be healed. God bless you and your family.

  114. My sympathies. I know how hard it is to go through this. But I believe we will see our parents one day and we will all be healed. God bless you and your family.

  115. I have tears. What a beautiful and loving tribute to him! I have been reading your writing for years, and fondly remember many stories about him. Bless you all at this time of his passing. Sending love to you and your whole family.

  116. I have tears. What a beautiful and loving tribute to him! I have been reading your writing for years, and fondly remember many stories about him. Bless you all at this time of his passing. Sending love to you and your whole family.

  117. I have tears. What a beautiful and loving tribute to him! I have been reading your writing for years, and fondly remember many stories about him. Bless you all at this time of his passing. Sending love to you and your whole family.

  118. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing Grandpa Larry’s life with us – what a wonderful man. My sympathies and you and your family. Hugs.

  119. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing Grandpa Larry’s life with us – what a wonderful man. My sympathies and you and your family. Hugs.

  120. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing Grandpa Larry’s life with us – what a wonderful man. My sympathies and you and your family. Hugs.

  121. So many memories to treasure! Thanks so much for sharing your father-in-law with us. I would have liked to have had him as a neighbor myself! Take good care of yourselves.

  122. So many memories to treasure! Thanks so much for sharing your father-in-law with us. I would have liked to have had him as a neighbor myself! Take good care of yourselves.

  123. So many memories to treasure! Thanks so much for sharing your father-in-law with us. I would have liked to have had him as a neighbor myself! Take good care of yourselves.

  124. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you, your husband and your family. You were so kind to share stories about your father-in-law, so it was if we sort of knew him. He sounds like he was a wonderful man and your tribute to him was lovely.

  125. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you, your husband and your family. You were so kind to share stories about your father-in-law, so it was if we sort of knew him. He sounds like he was a wonderful man and your tribute to him was lovely.

  126. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you, your husband and your family. You were so kind to share stories about your father-in-law, so it was if we sort of knew him. He sounds like he was a wonderful man and your tribute to him was lovely.

  127. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this! Your many kind words and stories over the years have endeared Grandpa Larry to many of us. May you find comfort and peace in all of your special memories.

  128. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this! Your many kind words and stories over the years have endeared Grandpa Larry to many of us. May you find comfort and peace in all of your special memories.

  129. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this! Your many kind words and stories over the years have endeared Grandpa Larry to many of us. May you find comfort and peace in all of your special memories.

  130. So sad to read this post but happy in how he will be remembered. He seemed like such a sweet man who’s legacy will live on with all of you. Thanks for sharing his beautiful story and hugs and condolences to your family.

  131. So sad to read this post but happy in how he will be remembered. He seemed like such a sweet man who’s legacy will live on with all of you. Thanks for sharing his beautiful story and hugs and condolences to your family.

  132. So sad to read this post but happy in how he will be remembered. He seemed like such a sweet man who’s legacy will live on with all of you. Thanks for sharing his beautiful story and hugs and condolences to your family.

  133. My sympathies go to you and your family. You were so blessed to have this man in your life and he was blessed to have you. May your memories keep Larry in your heart always. Hugs to your family.

  134. My sympathies go to you and your family. You were so blessed to have this man in your life and he was blessed to have you. May your memories keep Larry in your heart always. Hugs to your family.

  135. My sympathies go to you and your family. You were so blessed to have this man in your life and he was blessed to have you. May your memories keep Larry in your heart always. Hugs to your family.

  136. I know I’m late in reading this post but with tears in my eyes I just have to tell you how sorry I am and what a beautiful tribute you have paid to your father in law. He sounds like a wonderful man and I’m sorry for your loss.

  137. I know I’m late in reading this post but with tears in my eyes I just have to tell you how sorry I am and what a beautiful tribute you have paid to your father in law. He sounds like a wonderful man and I’m sorry for your loss.

  138. I know I’m late in reading this post but with tears in my eyes I just have to tell you how sorry I am and what a beautiful tribute you have paid to your father in law. He sounds like a wonderful man and I’m sorry for your loss.

  142. I have been off the grid for awhile and just now read this post. So sorry to hear about Grandpa’s passing. Cherish the memories as I am sure you will. He sounded like a wonderful man.

  143. I have been off the grid for awhile and just now read this post. So sorry to hear about Grandpa’s passing. Cherish the memories as I am sure you will. He sounded like a wonderful man.

  144. I have been off the grid for awhile and just now read this post. So sorry to hear about Grandpa’s passing. Cherish the memories as I am sure you will. He sounded like a wonderful man.