Lawrence H. Dimmitt Jr.

DIMMITT, Lawrence Hundley Jr. 97, died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at his home in Belleair. He was born Sept. 27, 1914, in Port St. Joe, the second child and only son of Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt Sr. and Hebe Lucas Dimmitt. He and his family moved to Clearwater in 1924, where his father established two automobile dealerships. He attended South Ward Elementary School in Clearwater, Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA and the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In the midst of the Great Depression, he left UF to return to Clearwater to help his father run the family business. On Dec. 8, 1941, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an officer in the North Africa campaign where he was injured and thereafter received an honorable discharge. After his return to the United States, he met Betty Jane Roth in New York City and they were married there on March 2, 1945. Larry and Betty Jane made their home in Belleair where they raised their four children and enjoyed many happy years together. Larry lost his beloved Betty Jane in 1976 to cancer. In 1952, Larry took over the dealerships from his father. He remained actively involved in the car business in Clearwater into the 1990s alongside his sons, Lawrence III and Richard, whose sons in turn, now participate in the operation of the family business. Larry was deeply proud of his adopted hometown of Clearwater and his role in its growth. He appreciated the generous support of the community of him and his endeavors and taught his family the importance of giving back to the community. Being a committed philanthropist, he was instrumental in the development of numerous community institutions, including Morton Plant Hospital, UPARC, Ruth Eckerd Hall, St. Paul's School, Berkeley Preparatory School and Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Florida Orchestra, Boy Scouts of America, Lion's Club, Community Pride Center, Eckerd College, American Cancer Society and Junior League. In addition, he was also a longtime member of a variety of local social organizations such as Carlouel Yacht Club, the Clearwater Yacht Club, the Casado Club, the Privateers and the Belleair Country Club. Being a devotee of travel, he visited every continent except Antarctica. In 1991, Larry married Marge Armston. Many of his favorite trips were taken with his wife, Marge, whose zest for life matches his own. Many happy times were spent with Marge at their home in Highlands, NC, where they graciously entertained a steady stream of visitors. Above all, Larry loved his family. He was the architect of many memorable family trips and a constant at his 10 grandchildrens' birthdays, performances and graduations. Larry spent a lifetime developing and nurturing friends throughout the community whom he counted as one of the joys of his life. Larry was always the life of the party, whose twinkling eyes and warm smile would light up any room he entered. He will be deeply missed. He is predeceased by his first wife, Betty Jane, and his sister, Dorothy Dimmitt Baxter. He is survived by his wife, Marge; his four children; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They are Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt, III and Genevieve Lykes Dimmitt, of Clearwater, and their children, Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, Elizabeth Lykes Dimmitt, Lawrence Hundley Dimmit IV, and Genevieve Lykes Dimmitt, Eileen Dimmitt Magidson and Josh Magidson, of Clearwater, and their children, Michael Dimmitt Magidson, his wife, Ashley Buchanan Magidson and their son, Daniel Dimmitt Magidson, Betty Jane Roth Magidson, Andrew Ingle Magidson and Timothy Ingle Magidson; Richard Roth Dimmitt and Doreen Bose Dimmitt, of Clearwater, and their children, Richard Roth Dimmitt, Jr. and Peter Bose Dimmitt and Benjamin Ingle Dimmitt, of New York, NY. A memorial service will be held Nov. 17, 2011, at 11 am at Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Clearwater. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, FL 33756 or The Salvation Army, Clearwater Chapter, 1625 North Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33765-1304.

Arrangements under the direction of Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clearwater, FL.