Larry H Keener, age 78, of Gadsden passed away on Thursday April 14,2022 after a long battle with cancer. Larry was a graduate and officer of Gadsden High School class of 1961. He received a BS from Jacksonville State University and a law degree from Cumberland Law School in 1967. Larry served in the United States Armed Forces where he completed his service in the Army reserve in 1969. He started law practice with Hawkins & Rhea Law Firm in Gadsden and later formed a partnership with his teenage friend Gregory Cusimano. They had worked together at the Hawkins & Rhea firm. The Keener & Cusimano Firm was joined by William Cardwell for a time. Larry and Gregory in 1978 merged with Jack Floyd forming Floyd, Keener, & Cusimano Law Firm.
Larry served as deputy district attorney for Etowah County while maintaining his private practice. He provided leadership as vice president and president of The Etowah County Bar Association.
Keener volunteered and served many civic organizations. He was the 1970 Heart Fund Chairman. He was presented the Distinguished Service Award by Gadsden Jaycees. Larry as president served the Boys Club of Etowah County. He was selected for the 1972 Outstanding Young Man of America. As a teenager, through the Boys Club of Alabama, he won the statewide Boxing Golden Glove featherweight championship. He represented many municipalities in Etowah County including Glencoe. He was president of Sigma Delta Kappa legal fraternity. He was a member of the Gadsden Water Works Board.
Larry was elected twice as State Senator His first term started in 1978. He was primarily responsible for having the 759 Coosa River Bridge constructed, which the state legislature later named after him. He received the award of merit as an outstanding member of the Alabama Senate. Larry led the way in the initial re-construction of US 411, which is now finally being 4 laned. He was appointed and considered a valued member of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees.
He was a member of Bellevue Methodist Church and The Tabernacle. He was also a ministry partner with The Branches Gadsden.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Helen Keener, brother Kenneth Keener, son John Wesley Keener, brother in laws Sam Stafford and Frank Thompson.
Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary, son Larry (Kim) Keener Jr., daughter Sharon Goss, grandsons Jackson and Alex Goss, sister Margie (Jerry) Balentine, cousin Kim Lumpkin, brother and sister in laws Jimmy (Esther) Thrasher, Richard (Betty) Thrasher, Linda Stafford, Diane Thompson, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1pm on Monday April 18,2022 at The Tabernacle Church. Rev. Don Arnold and Rev. Daniel Pope will officiate, and music provided by Rev. Tommy Marshall. The family will have visitation prior to the service from 11:30-1:00. Larry will be laid to rest in Crestwood Cemetery. Collier Butler Funeral Home will direct services.
Pallbearers are Jackson Goss, Alex Goss, Matt Keener, Jeff Thompson, Paul Loy, and Ricky Autwell.
Honorary pallbearers are lifelong friends Greg Cusimano and David Carnes, nephew Lane Keener, Etowah County Bar Association, faith families at the Branches Gadsden.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Anakwah, HOAA-Gadsden, Dr. Steve Sanders, Riverview Medical Center staff and special friend Daniel Pope.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local church or favorite charity.
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