Remembering Larry

Tonight Jackie Key goes to bed with a future she can't imagine. Her past has been sawed off. She stands in the gap between those two. In the morning, she'll breathe in and step toward tomorrow's unknown.

Today our community had the privilege of celebrating Larry's life. He knew how to live. He didn't miss a moment of exhilaration, anticipation, or joy. The stories that were told about him today were just the opening chapters in a book that would require hundreds of pages.

His father started a family business here in 1907 that Larry eventually took over. Larry retired from it 19 years ago when he was 70. He knew our community and he was known in the community.

During WWII he served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in England. During his military days he was in St. Louis and met the love of his life, Jackie.

Today two pastors officiated at his service. All three of his adult kids spoke. One young adult grandson spoke and one community member. When each person concluded, we all wanted to ask for more because each spoke elegantly and interestingly. The content of Larry's life is stunning.

One person declared, "Larry was a collector of people. Some people collect coins or stamps or cars or books. Larry collected people."

Larry didn't waste an opportunity to make a friend. He did it so naturally, so nonchalantly. Each relationship just felt like it had always been. His compliments not only encouraged people, they improved the person. One person spoke into the microphone, "He had an unwavering dedication to improving." Larry leaves behind a community of people who are better because they knew him.

One daughter said, "I had a perfect childhood. We had a perfect family. Mom & Dad were always so positive." Kids don't say that unless it's true (I don't care how old they are). Larry's cup was always moving toward full. It was never half-empty.

We went to the same church with Larry & Jackie. He loved everything about his church. His pastor told a little private story about Larry. One that no one previously knew. Larry loved people so much and cared about those that are down and out so much that every several months he'd give the pastor an envelope stuffed with cash so the pastor could help homeless and broken people when they came to the church for a handout. He told the pastor, "Don't tell Jackie." Today the pastor told all of us and we loved the telling.

"Stranger" wasn't in his dictionary nor his vocabulary. He liked everyone. He spoke to everyone. He was comfortable with billionaires or with broken people.

His son told how Larry loved that his pastor and his church made it a habit to read through the Bible every year from cover to cover. And Larry did that annually and encouraged others to do it too.

Just about 5 years ago Larry moved Jackie & himself to San Clemente because he felt that she needed to live closer to their children. Larry believed he'd die first and that Jackie would need to be closer to them. Larry had been born in our city. After the move, they immediately fell in love with their new coastal community.

This past December Larry phoned us because he'd found a house at the beach he thought we should buy. When he phoned, we both had to laugh. We wondered if he knew that we had a pool in our backyard, not a money tree. Actually a pool is a hole that swallows money! He was sure we should move to the beach. We'd like to think he's right. We'll see!

Larry & Jackie were married for 64 years. They lived in simple elegance, humble honesty, and insightful inspiration.

I will be quoting form the "pages of Larry" for the rest of my life. I learned so much more about him today. If you've read this far, thank you.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. The Ruby Flash Glass in my photo is a piece that Jackie gave me because I had two others from my grandmother and Jackie thought I should have the one that she owned. The Keys are generous people.

P.P.S. (I must be the only goon who writes copious notes at memorial services.)