Lawrence Richard Abramson

Larry Abramson of Olive Branch, MS, passed away September 22, 2021 at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, TN. Larry was predeceased by his parents, Emanuel and Frances Abramson and brother David. He leaves his wife, Michele, and his sister, Judy Maloney, along with her husband, Robert, and nephews, David, Ryan and Loren.

Larry was born in 1955, in Dayton, OH. As the youngest child of an Air Force officer, Larry moved around the country frequently, a habit he continued until finally settling down in Olive Branch twenty years ago. After attending high school and community college in Virginia, Larry took a job with the US Customs in 1978. He made a career with the agency as a Customs Inspector, Customs & Border Patrol Officer, and Acting Port Director and worked around the country (Virginia, Detroit, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Memphis) and internationally (Peru and Bolivia - as a trainer with the Office of International Affairs). Larry, a lifetime firearms enthusiast, also served as a Firearms Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.

When Larry retired, he continued his service to his country and community as a volunteer with numerous organizations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Memphis Zoo, American Humane Association, ASPCA and State of Mississippi Animal Response Teams, Mended Hearts, Memphis International Airport, the DeSoto County Search & Rescue Team and as a fire investigator and firefighter with the DeSoto County Fire Marshall’s office. Larry also opened up a travel agency and delighted in sharing his love of travel with his clients.

Although Larry’s generosity with his time and energy was never driven by a desire for acknowledgment, he was recognized numerous times, including receiving the Mississippi “Governors Initiative for Volunteer” Award, the Make-a-Wish Mid-South “Volunteer of the Year” Award and the Volunteer Memphis “Lifetime Service” Award.

Larry loved helping others, whether through volunteering or whenever his friends or family needed him. He also loved animals and never met a dog he didn’t like or that didn’t like him! For years, Larry travelled the dog show circuit, competing with dogs from his Bearded Collie kennel, MICLA Kennels. He never tired of spending time with his beloved dogs, cozying up with them on the couch or trying to persuade them to get out of the pool.

If a life can be measured by the positive impact one makes on the lives of others, Larry’s life was indeed a powerful testament to the spirit of generosity and the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repair the world). He will be sorely missed by his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, Larry would have preferred that we carry on his spirit of giving by making a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South at:

https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_today&chid=049-000

OR

Make-A-Wish Mid-South

1780 Moriah Woods Blvd. Suite 10

Memphis, TN 38117