Larry Wayne Green, 79, of Greenville, passed away September 10, 2021, at his residence surrounded by his wife and children.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances Henson Green; son Larry Green, Jr. and wife Dr. Jan Phillips Green, of Rockwall; daughter Laura Green of Dallas; granddaughter, Emma June Henson Green; brother J. L. Green, Jr. and wife Teya Green, of Greenville; brother Ronnie Green and wife Elizabeth Green, of Greenville and numerous nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, James Lewis Green, Sr., and mother, Billie Faye Smith Green. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Nell Green.
Larry was born August 27, 1942, in Greenville. He attended Boles schools and graduated from Boles High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from East Texas State College. He graduated from Baylor University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1967.
Following training in Quantico, Virginia, Larry served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1967 to 1970. He began his private law practice in Greenville in 1970 with the firm known today as Pemberton Green Newcomb and Weis. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas for over 50 years, serving clients through the first quarter of this year. Larry was a respected and trusted advisor in many areas of the law. He imparted wise counsel to clients throughout his career.
He served as a Director, legal counsel, and trusted advisor to Quinlan State Bank, now known as Benchmark Bank, from 1970 through this year.
Larry was committed to serving his church and the communities of Greenville and Hunt County. He served as head usher at Kavanaugh United Methodist Church in Greenville for close to 40 years. Larry was past president of the United Way of Hunt County and the Greenville Salvation Army. He served on the Greenville Independent School District Board of Trustees for ten years, including time as president, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the local YMCA.
Larry was a family man. He grew up in the Gooseneck community in south Hunt County with his parents, brothers and extended family – picking cotton, working in his father’s Quinlan Lumber Company and constructing homes and buildings. He worked with his hands throughout his life. He was a creative visionary, always planning his next project.
He and Frances began dating before Larry began college when he was working at the J. C. Penney store in downtown Greenville, where they met. They were married in the sanctuary of Kavanaugh Methodist Church in Greenville in 1965, the day after he turned 23. He was ready to marry the love of his life long before then, but waited until he turned 23 due to his mother’s instruction that he not marry before he reached that age. So he married Frances as soon as he possibly could while honoring his cherished mother, Billie Faye.
Larry and Frances took their children all over the country during Larry Jr. and Laura’s childhood, usually in a plane flown by Larry. He flew his planes around Texas, and to the Northeast, Midwest, Canada and the Bahamas.
Larry loved working outside and being productive. He was a thoughtful and dedicated land steward. He and Frances loved spending weekends on the family farm in Hunt County. With Frances, his brothers J.L. and Ronnie and nephew James Green, he helped run the family cattle and hay operation.
Larry will be profoundly missed by his family and many friends.
A private burial will be held at Memoryland Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Kavanaugh United Methodist Church in October on a date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kavanaugh United Methodist Church.
