Larry M. Reyna

Surrounded by his family, Larry M. Reyna of South Houston, TX, age 94, was reunited with his late wife, Judy Reyna, on September 19, 2020. He was born in Waco, TX on February 10, 1926 to the late Leo and Salome Reyna.

Larry’s family lived in various parts of Texas – Waco, where he was born, Richmond, and the Houston area. As a small child, he often accompanied his father to the greenhouses where he was witness to his father’s skill as a propagator. It was here where he developed his life-long love for different varieties of flowers and plants.

Larry enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 5, 1944, at the age of 18. He served most of his enlisted time in Leghorn and Naples regions of Italy. Having reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was honorably discharged at Ft. Hood, TX on July 3, 1946. Upon his return to the Houston area, Larry lived with his brother, Raymond and wife Rosie, and there met Judy Garza, the love of his life. They were married 66 years, and had two sons, Gregory Lynn and Larry Thomas Reyna.

After his discharge from the service, Larry briefly worked in Todd’s Shipyard in Galveston, TX as a welder. Larry had aspirations of working at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in the Standards department, but needed certification from the Horological Institute of America to do so. Although he was ultimately certified (the Waltham pocket watch he submitted received an almost perfect score from the National Bureau of Standards), an eye injury prevented him from continuing in this field. He returned to his love of flowers and turned to the floral industry as a career.

Larry worked at various florist shops in the Houston area and was Head Floral Designer for Fairbank’s Florist in Pasadena, TX, until he retired at the age of 65.

Larry was a loving, dedicated family man who was happiest when spending time with family and friends. Most holidays gatherings were held at his and Judy’s home, as it was the unofficial meeting spot for both immediate and extended family. Although a warm conversationalist who was genuinely interested in others, Larry will affectionately be remembered most for his story-telling abilities. He especially loved chronicling tales about relatives from years gone by.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Salome Reyna, his wife, Judy Garza Reyna, his son, Gregory Lynn, his brothers, Frank, Ben, Raymond, Leo, Richard and Moses, and his sister, Josephine Reyna Cuellar.

Left to cherish his memory is his son, Larry Thomas Reyna (wife Elvira), his siblings, Elia Reyna Maldonado and Edward (wife Tamiko), his granddaughters, Gina Reyna Jackson (husband David), Sonia Reyna Morales (husband Aaron), and Toni Matthey, his grandsons, Jon Reyna (wife Courtney), James David, Ross Reyna (wife Michelle), and great grandchildren: Harrison Reyna, Steven Jackson, Fletcher Reyna, Mason Reyna, Matthaus Morales, Alex and Ian Matthey, Elias Reyna, Alyson Reyna, Reyna and Rachel Jackson, Emma and Olivia Reyna, and Kamryn Reyna.

Reverend Joel McMahon IV will officiate internment at Forest Park Cemetery, Lawndale.