Larry Gene Brown, 83, of Shelby, North Carolina, went home to his Savior on Sept. 27, 2022.
He was born in Bryan, Ohio on July 27, 1939, and graduated from Hilltop High School in West Unity, Ohio, in 1957.
In 1959 he married Terry Fletcher Brown, who survives. The two would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on Oct. 3.
In their first years of marriage Larry and Terry lived in Montpelier, Ohio, where their two children were born and raised.
Larry worked in manufacturing while attending the University of Toledo. He rose to the position of plant manager at Chase Brass and Copper Company.
During his tenure Larry traveled to Kyoto, Japan, to establish a manufacturing facility. He later served in Boston for two years in a research and development capacity.
Larry was then promoted to plant designer and he and Terry moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Larry’s prototype design became a reality in 1985 when he built a functional plant for Chase Brass, west of Shelby.
He served as plant manager until 1990, when he joined Wirtz Manufacturing. At Wirtz he established plants in Grover and Gastonia, managing both until his retirement in 2001.
For many years Larry was active in Rotary International, as a past president of Montpelier Rotary and past member of Shelby Rotary. For 14 years Larry volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in Shelby.
Since arriving in Shelby, Larry has been a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church.
He served on numerous committees, sang in the Chancel Choir, and was a member of the Saints and Sinners class.
Larry founded the church’s handyman ministry and formed crews of church members to clean up and rebuild in response to Katrina and other natural disasters.
He was also a member of many teams of Methodist Men, serving on mission trips from Nome, Alaska, to Honduras.
Larry’s hobbies included antique car restoration, tennis and canoe racing. He loved woodworking, restoring over 200 radios.
Larry was also a student of World War II. And he and Terry enjoyed international travel.
Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dorothy Brown, his brother, Paul Brown and his granddaughter, Courtney Brown.
He is survived by his children, Kelby Brown (wife, Connie) and Becky Brown (partner, Lydia Hoza); grandchildren, Dr. Kelby Brown Jr. (wife, Angel) and Kyler Brown (wife, Erinn); and great-granddaughters Etta, Vanessa and Ellie. He is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank their friends and church family for the love and support they have shown over the past year.
They also wish to thank Larry’s friend and caregiver, James Miller, Hospice nurse Joanie Mabry, and Cleveland County Hospice.
A celebration of Larry’s life was held on Monday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Shelby, North Carolina. A reception in the church fellowship hall followed.
Preferred memorials can be directed to Central United Methodist Church—Missions, 200 East Marion Street, Shelby NC 28150.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.