It seems like yesterday I saw you at church and you and Gloria were there together. I will forever miss you and your sense of humor. You were one of a kind may you rip still can’t believe you’re gone. Four years ago and It seems like yesterday. Love you forever tio Larry 

Larry Alvarez was my favorite uncle on the Alvarez side of the family. We use to have great times when I was Alan Alvarez, Larry's nephew. He would always take us for a drink and we had great laughs. I miss him very much. He was one person I could talk to about anything. Without being judged. He was a great man.
I miss you so much tio Larry. You never wanted to tell me your real name, you said I will never know it because you thought I would make fun of it. Well tio I finely know your real name. And just know that I love your name. RIP and thank you for always being there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Love you forever. Beatrice

I knew Larry as Mr. Alvarez.  I met him 18 years ago because I started dating one of his students, Bridget Palomino.  About 22 years ago, Bridget was sitting in the office at Roosevelt High School getting ready to come in as a freshman transfer. Bridget, at the time, was a troubled kid with bad grades and no direction for her life. That day Mr. Alvarez saw her in the office looking confused and said “What are you doing fool!”:). This is the way he spoke to all the kids to make them feel comfortable with him. Bridget started to have a conversation with him and he realized this student needed more guidance than the average student.  From that day forward he mentored her and did so much more for her.  Without him my wife, Bridget, would have never became the success she is today. Bridget loved him like a father. When we had our daughter Alana, he became her Godfather. He is and will always be a very special man to our family. We love you Larry.  You will live forever in our hearts and memories. Icons never die. They live forever. 

Mr. Alvarez was a beloved person during my years at Roosevelt HS. At first he was not my counseler but his door was open for me and any of the kids especially from that came from the  neighborhoods around Roosevelt we were not RSA students and we had our problems but it seemed he tried a little harder with us him and I would take a walk around the outside of the school and talk it was personal not just another student in line to check grades when I got "kicked outta" RHS. It was him that helped me get into a home studies. Class and told me to work hard and I can walk with my class. I did work hard caught up and was done be for graduation but unfortunatly the powers that be would not let me Walk with RHS so I was like thanks any ways. He got a hold of a continuation class graduating he told me your mom and family needs to see you walk across that stage u worked hard. And that I need to know what it feels like to walk across. That stage and receive my diploma. I did.  Thank you Mr Alvarez you are a great man that helped many.  You will be missed.  Because you looked at us like people with a future . Not bad kids with no direction who your housing for 8 hrs at school. Again my condolences to his family and friends and the many students he helped like me . 

The best school counselor I have had the pleasure of knowing, and a Chicano role model as a professional and educator. His best attribute is his humanitarian legacy that he leaves to us. He will be greatly missed.

To Gloria, Christi & John, and all the Alvarez Family...My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time!  May your memories of Mr. Larry help fill the void in your hearts!  I remember "Mr. Larry" as one of the most genuine staff members on the high school campus.  He truly cared for all of the students and staff.  Every time he entered my classroom, the students always cried out, "Mr. Larry!"  He always had a kind word or two for them!  He cared so much for the students in Parlier that you would always catch him buying them something to eat when they were hungry or "lending" them a dollar so they could buy themselves a drink.  The funny thing was is that he never hesitated to "loan" out his last dollar when he knew full well that he was never going to be repaid for his generosity.  Mr. Larry was truly one of a kind!!  Blessings to you and your family and thank you all for sharing your awesome husband, dad, father-in-law...!  He was truly loved!

Christi was my AVID Teacher in High School, I still remember the day her Dad came into class to share his wisdom. He had this comforting and welcoming look in his eyes. He shared stories of struggle, importance of educations, living and enjoying the life we are blessed with. He made funny jokes and gave a dollar if you answered his questions correctly. A firecracker was only a half of his personality. Mr. Alvarez, thank you for the life you helped give Christi, without  that woman I would truly be in a horrible place. Thank you for the smiles you shared and small/short memories I have with you. 

I remember my freshman year at Roosevelt always seeing this old man surrounded by students and thinking who is he and why is everyone always talking to him. So I walked up to him and was quiet listening to everyone's conversations with him when he asked me, "Hi mija who is your counselor?" I said, "What I don't have a counselor I don't have any problems!!!" He chuckled and said, "No mija, your guidance counselor."  He then explained his role and sent me to Mrs Castaneda in the office to switch him to be my counselor.  From that moment he never let me stray kept me on track had me join every political class and club available and said, "You're the daughter I've always wanted. This homegirl always defending her homies is going to be something great!" When I spoke to him this January he cried and told me how proud he was of me even if I wasn't that lawyer I wanted to be I atleast came back home to help the kids at my school like he knew I wanted to do. My heart breaks to not have had the privilege of seeing him 1 last time but I am comforted with the 3 hour conversation we had and I had the chance to tell him what an impact he made in my life. May I see you in heaven one day and give you that hug one more time. 

OBITUARY

Clarence "Larry" Alvarez

July 4, 1935 – May 9, 2018

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

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