Obituary of Larry Young
Larry was born on March 13, 1943 outside of LaGrange, Georgia. He was one of five children. He had a great passion for nature, a strong intelligence, and deep kindness. He was a talented singer and musician and, had his early years gone differently, he might have been the next Buddy Holly.
He graduated from The Georgia Military College (now University of North Georgia) and at the age of 21, enlisted in the Marines. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US actions during an insurrection in the Dominican Republic and then as a Captain in South Vietnam as artillery liaison officer and Fire Support Coordinator for 2nd. Battalion 4th Marines, known as “The Magnificent Bastards”. He was decorated with honors though he turned down the Purple Heart, as to not worry his wife and family. He stayed in the reserves for another 10 years and retired as a Major. When he did speak of his service, he spoke with great feeling for those he had served with.
He studied at the University of Michigan Law School, clerked under the tutelage of former Michigan governor and State Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Mennen Williams, and went on to become a distinguished attorney. He wrote several provisions of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 and the Texas Finance Code, and became a partner at Hughes Watters Askanase in Houston. He was a mentor to many, and a passionate and highly skilled lawyer.
Later in life he would go on to pursue his love of acting. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. His IMDB lists over 17 film/TV credits and that doesn’t even include his stage work and voiceovers.
He was a husband, father to both his son and stepsons, grandfather, dog dad, brother, friend, and colleague. He was a musician, attorney, actor, singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He loved his life and everyone in it. He wanted everyone to shine and supported them in doing so.
Larry leaves behind a large, loving family. His wife Debi, son James and his wife, stepsons Ryan and Jason, grandchildren Aria, Eliot, Isaac, Natalie, Emily, sisters Kathy and Kate, their families, and his dog Sassy. He will be missed by his fellow Marines, his acting buddies, friends from the law community, and so many more. He is preceded by his brothers Bobby and Wayne, and his Mother and Father, Edna and Avery Young, and his dogs Erskine, Nanook, Annie, Honey, Bo, and Griffy.
Larry was a loving and proud father. He passed on his passion for music and acting to his son James. In recent years, they had developed a particularly close relationship and enjoyed frequent evenings together over Zoom talking about dogs, music, working out, travel, and life. They share the same mischievous smile and ability to draw people together. Both are dog whisperers.
Larry also embraced being a step-father and grandfather. He truly enjoyed his stepsons and told story after story about his grandchildren’s lives and achievements. He never did win a ping pong ball game, though.
Larry was very proud to be a Marine. Marines are taught to overcome any obstacle. A concept of a slogan “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.”: a mindset which allows Marines to deal with any physical, mental, or spiritual hardship. Larry embraced this idea as he faced cancer. He was grateful for the care he received at MD Anderson and the VA and often took cookies to his caregivers. He did his best to stay positive, eat healthy, and exercise so he could stay as strong as possible to fight his illness.
Larry loved his dogs and they adored him. He made his two rescue Goldens, Griffy and Sassy, feel safe and loved. He was Sassy’s protector during thunderstorms, and she was totally devoted to him – she would sleep by his side when he napped, and stay until he woke up. Larry couldn’t even kill an insect, he would take them outside.
Larry was a very loving and thoughtful husband to Debi, his partner of over 30 years, thanking her every day for what she did to support him. They strove to truly understand one another, to find harmony, union and happiness. They would both agree that they were quite successful in that venture.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Unity Church, 2929 Unity Drive in Houston, Texas.