Larry Michael Junkin

Larry Michael Junkin departed this life on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at his home in Fuquay Varina, NC. He was born in Wake County on September 23, 1951, to his parents, Daniel Montague Junkin and Dorothy Lois Hall Junkin. Larry was the third child, having two older brothers and one younger sister.

Larry was a 1969 graduate of Broughton High School in Raleigh. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in 1973, where he was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order. In 1978, he received his Master of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness from Appalachian State University.

Larry began teaching and coaching with Wake County schools at East Garner Middle School, where he began coaching JV football. Larry coached various sports at Millbrook High School, Jordan High School in Durham, where he was the head football coach before moving to become the first head football coach at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh. Larry left Leesville Road High School in 2006 intending to retire. Finding retired life too slow pace and missing interactions with students and colleagues, he returned to West Cary Middle School to serve as Athletic Director for 4 additional years.

Larry officiated wrestling for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, serving the Triangle and Southeastern Region for forty-plus years. He officiated 31 state championships and 8 state dual finals. In March of 2023 he received the Shining Stars in Stripes Award for his dedicated service to North Carolina high school wrestling. Larry officiated wrestling up until diagnosis with Glioblastoma in February 2024. In June 2024, he received the Tony Simeon Courage Award for the North Carolina State High School Athletic Association.

Larry had a genuine love for all sports. He was an avid golfer and was able to “live his dream” when he and his wife, Rita, moved to Pinehurst, NC, where he played nearly every day for five years before moving back to Fuquay Varina to be closer to his children, and especially his grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Montague Junkin and Dorothy Hall Junkin, and a brother, Joe Junkin.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rita Scarborough Junkin; his children, Graham Junkin of Cary, Drew (Elizabeth) Junkin of Clayton, Kevin (Emily) Harp of Baltimore Maryland, Amy (Jon) Young of Fuquay Varina; his grandchildren, Luke Junkin, Noah Young, Hailey Young, Isla Young, and River Harp. He is also survived by one brother, Dan Junkin of Sneads Ferry, and one “little sis”, Debbie (Mitchell) Cain of Cary; sister-in-law, Joanne Junkin of Kill Devil Hills, NC; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Larry will be held Friday, August 2, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home's Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Duke Health Hospice Care or NCHSAA Foundation.