Laurence Joseph Andrus

Laurence Joseph Andrus, affectionately known as “Larry” or “Deacon”, was born on November 30, 1939, in Lake Charles, LA. He was the third of seven children born to Presley and Vernia (Pierre) Andrus. His family relocated from Louisiana to Akron, OH. He attended Akron Public Schools, graduating from South High School in June 1957. In high school, Larry ran track and was best known for his singing, serving as President of the Senior Choir. In his high school yearbook, Larry is described as “A gentleman from sole to crown.”

On June 29, 1957, Larry entered the Army. Following Basic Training at Fort Gordon, GA, he was stationed in France for five years where he served as a Military Policeman. Larry was reassigned to Fort Leonard Wood, MO in July 1963 and in 1964 was trained as one of the Army’s first 500 Drill Sergeants. He served as Assistant Platoon Sergeant until November 1965 when he entered Infantry Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA and he was commissioned in May 1966.

In November 1966 he began his first tour in Vietnam, serving as Platoon Leader and Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in May 1967 and in September 1967 he was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism in Ground Combat. In November 1967 he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Hostile Forces.

Larry was promoted to Captain in May 1968. He went back to Vietnam in June 1969 as a Senior Advisor and Advanced Detachment Training Director. Larry said that when training his troops, he never asked them to do anything that he either hadn’t done or wasn’t willing to do. He believed in leading by example. In June 1970 Larry was awarded another Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces.

Reassigned to Fort Benning, GA, he served as Assistant Force Development Director and Assistant Operations Officer. In 1971 he was assigned as Executive Officer Headquarters Command at Presidio of San Francisco and served in that capacity until he retired on July 31,1977, ending an accomplished and exemplary military career in service to his country. After retiring from the Army, Larry worked in Private Security for over 20 years. Company ownership changed a few times, yet Larry continued to excel, advancing through the years from Branch Manager to Area Vice President of one of the largest security companies in the United States and the highest-ranking Black person in that company.

While stationed in France, Larry met and married his first wife, Sylviane Marcou and they were blessed with two children, Eric and Merry. Although they divorced many years later, they remained on friendly terms. In 1988, Larry youngest brother played matchmaker and introduced him to a co-worker, Sharon McMickens. In August 1989 Larry’s oldest sister officiated at the marriage ceremony, and Larry and Sharon shared an amazingly blessed life for over 36 years, until he transitioned from labor to reward on March 12, 2026.

Larry had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and had been baptized. His faith was important to him. He enjoyed church and insisted on paying his tithes. He recounted that while fighting the war in Vietnam, every morning as they headed out, not knowing what they would encounter, he would recite Psalm 23.

Larry loved to play golf and played as often as he could. He considered it a game of honor in which he was competing against the course, not the other players. He prided himself on knowing the rules and abiding by them. Not only was Larry a good golfer, but he also helped others to improve their game. Unlike most golfers who play the game for years but never make a hole in one, Larry hit two: the first on July 26, 2004, and the second on November 7, 2008. Larry and Sharon also enjoyed traveling and making special memories, whether with family and friends, going on cruises or visiting Paris, France or The Gambia.

Larry is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sharon; children Eric and Merry; Siblings Greta Jenkins, Alex Lee (Frances) Andrus, Jane Andrus and Elsie (Jerry) Colley; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Arvita) McMickens and Randall (Gladys) McMickens; one granddaughter, two grandsons, one great-grandson and numerous other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Presley and Vernia Andrus; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Isaac and Gladys McMickens; brothers Louis Charles Andrus and Jonathan Andrus; brother-in-law Alan McMickens; ex-wife Sylviane Andrus and numerous other cherished family members. We thank God for blessing us with Larry for 86 years. He will be forever loved and never forgotten.

A visitation will be held at Palm Northwest Mortuary, Juniper Hall, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131, on March 31, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Funeral Service will follow at Palm Northwest Mortuary, Juniper Hall, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131, on March 31, 2026, at 11:00 am, with live stream available at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/webcasting.cashmanpro.com/PNW/watchliveevent.cfm?eventID=248980__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!OsrdenhuP4D9uon9lqVS-otbvApXXs5RByyEgsz9DEsudOy4ICShn2iZSU_VVGl-vJAMONhibniHbPSfl354D40OfF85Aw$.

A repast will take place at the Andrus residence, 2108 Forest Mist Avenue, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89084, on March 31, 2026, at 12:00 pm.