Lawrence "Larry" Gottfried

Mr. Lawrence George 'Larry' Gottfried peacefully left this world on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. Larry was born on May 22, 1924 in New York City to Roseanne O'Brien Gottfried and George John Gottfried. He grew up there-independent,studious, and with an affinity for sports, and great promise with the New York Giants until America was thrust into World War II. As soon as he could, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Radioman First Class on two destroyers in the Atlantic theater. In 1943, this New York boy met his wife of nearly 67 years, Geraldine (Jerry) McCrary of Molena, Georgia, and they quickly married. After serving in the Navy from 1942 to 1945, Larry earned his Bachelor's degree in accounting from New York University while working two jobs and creating, with Jerry, his family of five daughters. He worked as a financial auditor until moving the family to the Atlanta, Georgia area near where Jerry grew up. He worked for 31 years for Butler's Shoe Corporation, becoming a Senior Financial Officer. After retirement Larry remained an avid golfer and sports enthusiast; he also served as Post Commander of the American Legion post 66 in Avondale Etates, Georgia. Larry will be remembered for his patriotism, sense of duty, strength, pride in his family, great love of competitive sports and his memorable one-liners. Larry is survived by his wife, Jerry; daughters, Linda Gottfried (Thomas Barba), Susan (Will) Standley, Janet (Michael) Larsen, Laura Ray, and Terry Fontaine; eight grandchildren, Matthew Barba, Susan Barba, Bill Standley, Julia Larsen, Stephen Larsen, Whitney Ray (John) Scott, Emily Ray, and Anna Fontaine; and one great-granddaughter, Chloe Standley. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11 AM at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Decatur, Georgia. Burial will be later that day at 3:00 PM with Military Honors at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Molena, Georgia. Donations can be made in his memory to the Arthritis Foundation or The Alzheimer's Association. Any floral contributions should be sent to the Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home in Thomaston, Ga. (706) 647-6644. Arrangements by R. T. Patterson Funeral Home, Lilburn, Ga. (770) 923-2940. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.