Larry Larue Patton

Larry’s life was long and well-lived. He was born November 12, 1938 in the small midwestern town of Alger, Ohio, the eldest of seven children. During high school he was an avid basketball player, a hobby he continued to enjoy throughout his adult years, especially games with his son and grandsons. It was also during high school he had the grand idea that taking dance lessons at an Arthur Murray studio might benefit his social life. It did. The caption under his senior picture in the class of 1956 yearbook reads “Jitterbug King.” His smooth moves on the dance floor were instrumental in winning the heart of his beloved Karen who pre-deceased him in 2021 the day before their 65th wedding anniversary. Their three children have many fond memories of Dad spontaneously dancing around the family room with Mom while singing their special song, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.”

A few years after they married, Larry and Karen packed up their toddler and meager belongings and headed to Pennsylvania where Larry attended Valley Forge Christian College and became an ordained minister. He deeply loved his years of service as a pastor and forged lifelong friendships with many congregants along the way. After pastoring in PA, OH, IN, FL and NY, Larry and Karen moved to Greensboro in 1986 where they worked together in Christian Broadcasting for the TCT Network for over 30 years. He also served as interim pastor for several local churches and enjoyed a stint as a choir director. In addition to music and ballroom dancing, Larry loved to travel, was an avid reader, spent countless hours on his meticulously landscaped yard, and was a bit of a comedian. His greatest joy was spending time with family; lots of precious memories were made sitting around the kitchen table playing card games and dominoes.

Larry was predeceased by his parents and sister Nancy Patton Price.

Larry’s devotion to his wife and children was second only to God in his priorities. He will be missed deeply and remembered fondly by his family including daughters, Debi Warner (Danny) of Southport, NC and Lori Paul (Rob) of Greensboro, NC; son, Steve Patton (Alice) of Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren, Trevor (Tina), Jacob (Abby) and Ethan Paul and Michael Patton (Samantha) and “bonus” grandchildren Kit, Stacey and Ryan Warner; great grandchildren, Harper, Hallie and Ophelia Paul and Mackenzie Patton; brothers, Phil (Donna), Russ and Vern (Kandy) Newland, sisters, Lavada Anderson and Dana Allen and over 20 nieces, nephews and their families.

He loved us all to the end of his life and we will love him to the end of ours.

Friends and family will be received Friday, December 29th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel, 515 N. Elm St., Greensboro NC 27401. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m., co-officiated by Larry’s eldest grandson Trevor Paul and longtime friend Rev. John Spry. A reception celebrating Larry’s life will be hosted by his children at Color Works following interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

For those unable to attend, the service will be available to view the following day at www.haneslinberryfhnorthelm.com.

Should you wish to express your sympathy, the family would be honored by donations made in Larry’s memory to: AuthoraCare Collective/Hospice Services, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro NC 27405, or online at www.authoracare.org.