Larry Allen Lerche

Larry Allen Lerche, 85, passed from this earthly life on December 6, 2024, after a brief illness. He grew up in Giddings, Texas, and was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he also attended elementary school. He graduated from Giddings High School where he was named “Most Handsome,” and later attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State).

Throughout his life, Larry cared deeply for family and others. He liked helping those in need, and generously poured himself into his family, especially his grandchildren. He was known and remembered for surprising well-behaved children with $2 bills at church and other events. Golf was his passion, and Larry was a founding member of Great Hills Country Club in Austin. Through golf, he and Gail gained close friends and made treasured memories on trips with the group.

Larry enjoyed a successful 40-year career in the insurance industry, creating life-long friends with clients and employees along the way. He began his career at the State Board of Insurance and then moved to Crum and Forster. With his outgoing personality, he became an independent insurance agent and partner at Neiman Hanks and Puryear. He founded Balcones Insurance in 1981, serving as Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 2005. In 1973, he was President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and received their Distinguished Agent Award in 1994. He was a founding member and first President of Combined Agents of America in 1997. In addition to his career, Larry served on many church, non-profit, and civic organization boards.

In retirement, Larry was a member of the Travis County Appraisal Review Board, always taking a strong interest in Austin’s tremendous growth. All his spare time was spent manicuring his immaculate ranch in Elgin, Texas, affectionately known as “Green Acres.”

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Sophie and John Lerche, and sister, Shirley Goeke, and her husband, John. He is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter, Kimberly Kieschnick and husband, Glen; grandson Chris and wife, Tori, and great-grandchildren, Alyssa Rae, Amber Elece, and Althea Gail; daughter, Traci Dube and husband, Duane, and grandson, Matthew Grant; and also by brother, Randall Lerche.

A memorial service to thank God, and honor Larry’s life, will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas on Friday, December 13th, at 2:00 pm, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, www.covenant.org, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, Texas 78757, or The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts, www.festivalhill.org, P. O. Box 89, Round Top, Texas 78954.