Cover photo for James Harrell Lary's Obituary
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1926 James 2007

James Harrell Lary

June 12, 1926 — October 30, 2007

James Harrell LaryMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington Road, Monroe, LA

Memorial services for James Harrell Lary, 81, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 3, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe with Dr. Allison F. Moody officiating. Prior to the memorial service, the interment will be at 9:30 AM at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.

Mr. Lary was born at home on a farm near Athens, LA in Claiborne Parish on June 12, 1926 and passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at St. Francis Downtown. He graduated from Athens High School in Athens, LA and Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. This is where he met Patricia Ann Meece, who later became his wife. At the age of 17 he joined the U. S. Navy on May 6, 1944, during World War II. He was in the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945 (Easter Sunday) on the ship USS Roberts DE 74, the only ship in his group not hit by Kamikaze planes. He was later sent to the NROTC Unit at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was honorably discharged from service on June 8, 1946, as a Radarman 2nd Class declining to remain in the navy to receive his commission. Medals from WWII were: National Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Navy Occupational Medal, American Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal. Crosses of Military Service WWII were presented to him by United Daughters of the Confederacy.

After graduation from Centenary, he was employed by Hycalog Company. Then he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War on August 14, 1950, and served aboard the USS James E. Keyes (DD787) and USS Prichett (DD561). He was honorably discharged on June 14, 1952. Medals from Korean War: United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal. Celebrating 50th anniversary Korean War Service, Crosses of Military Service Korean Medal presented by United Daughters of the Confederacy. He returned home in Shreveport and he and his family moved to Monroe, LA where he went to work as a sanitary maintenance salesman for Bancroft Paper Company and finally became President of the company. On November 30, 1997, he left Bancroft after 45 years of loyal service. He then was employed by the United Group (TUG) for a couple of years. During his lifetime, Mr. Lary was a member of the Y’s Men’s Club, The Civitan Club, The Rotary Club of Monroe, The American Legion, and the Down Town Lions Club. He was also a member of Bayou DeSiard Country Club and was an Elder and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church. He also sang in the Choir which was his love. He was weekly joined on Fridays for lunch, The ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and we express our gratitude to Skip Bell for always picking him up.

Mr. Lary was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Susan Lary Lasuzzo Papa; his parents, Jacob Washington and Mary Harmon Lary; four brothers, William Douglas Lary of Ashland, AL, Cullen Cortex Lary of Arcadia, LA, and his wife Mary, and Elton Lavert Larry of Natchez, MS; one sister, Merline Larry Baudino Watson of Alexandria, LA.

Mr. Lary is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Pat Meece Lary; his son, Dr. Michael A. Lary and his wife Pam of Amarillo, TX; his daughter, Nancy Lary Jantz of Rockwall, TX; grandchildren, Kristi Lasuzzo Alexander of Avant, CO, James Phillip Lary and wife Sarah of Dallas, TX, Blake Anthony Lasuzzo of Los Angeles, CA, Jason Michael Lary and his wife Helen of Dallas, TX, and Amandy Lary Ramsey and husband Hunter of Frisco, TX; two great grandsons, Michael Hudson Ramsey and Luke Harrell Lary; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. W. D. Larry of Ashland, AL, and Mrs. E. L. Larry of Natchez, MS; niece, Magdalene Baudino Wise and husband Walter of Madisonville, LA; nephews, Doug Lary and wife Jean of Talladega, AL, Dan Lary of Monroe, LA, Elton Larry of Washington, D.C., and Larry Maudino of Texarkana, TX; and many grand and great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, November 2, 2007 at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.

A special thanks to the personnel of Monroe Kidney Center, Ouachita Council on Aging, and United Home Care for the many kindnesses shown to Mr. Lary and his family.

Donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Stubbs Ave; Ouachita Council on Aging (Transportation), Alzheimer Association or any charity of your choice.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
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