Howard Larry Grissom

A respected member of the Nashville community all his adult life, Larry loved every day of the 45 years he worked at his dental practice. He loved his patients and his colleagues, and many became lifelong friends. He was an avid golfer from childhood, Larry played on courses all over the world, and was a proud member of Richland Country Club from 1981 until his death. His love of travel led him throughout Europe, to Russia, through the Caribbean and South America, and on safari in Southern Africa. Larry loved his Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Tuxedo, Wallis, and Gracie, who preceded him in death. His constant companion in his last days was Nola, a tiny shelter dog with intense loyalty and a pronounced underbite.

Larry was a graduate of Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN. He went on to study at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as well as the University of Tennessee, Memphis at the School of Dentistry. He was a brother in the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. Throughout his career, he was a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Tennessee Dental Association, the Nashville Dental Society, and the Volunteer Study Club.

Larry is preceded in death by his wife, Jennifer Wilhite Grissom, his brother, Joseph Terry Grissom, and his parents, Howard Grissom and Sara Elizabeth Grissom (née Roberts). He is survived by his daughter, Rachel P Grissom, his son, Ryan M. Grissom, his niece, Teri Grissom Currens, his sister-in-law, Tiffany Wilhite, and his mother-in-law, Patricia Wilhite.

The family wishes to express gratitude and admiration to Cleveland Clinic Transplant Center, which cared for Larry and provided him with a life saving lung transplant in 2019, Vanderbilt Hospital, which aided him in his fight with cancer, and Alive Hospice, which made his final hours peaceful and comfortable. Also by Larry’s side, and making daily life enjoyable and active, was close friend and healthcare aide, Andrew Bush, a man of deep compassion and integrity. It is impossible to list everyone who provided care, support, and laughter through the past few years but especially recent weeks, but the family expresses their eternal appreciation and love.

Should anyone wish to give in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the “A Breath of Life Fund” at Cleveland Clinic Lung Transplant Center “In Memory of Howard Larry Grissom.” This fund supports lung transplant patients with uninsured costs such as supplies, medication, and more. A Breath of Life Fund; ℅ Dr. Marie Budev - A90; Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave; Cleveland, OH 44195. Donations can also be made on Cleveland Clinic’s online memorial giving page: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/giving/make-a-gift

Please Call Dignity florist for all your floral needs at 615-463-8989.

A Gathering of Family & Friends for Larry will be held Monday, May 1, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204, followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 3:30 PM in Dignity Hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Grissom family.