Larry J Mack

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Larry J Mack who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Larry was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Larry knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Larry was born January, 19, 1947 in Paris, Kentucky. His parents were Wash Mack Jr and Eloise Mack. Even as a youngster, Larry learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Larry was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they were not supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Larry was raised with four siblings. He had four younger sisters, Yvette, Joyce, Thelma and Elaine. Larry had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Larry, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Larry's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Larry enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. As a child Larry played the drums. This would lead to Larry eventually playing drums in the high school marching band.

In school, Larry was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Larry was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Larry’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Paris Western High School in 1964. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was band. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Ms. Manerva Bedford.

Larry married Chinh Thi Le on May 5, 1968 in Saigon, Vietnam. An objective and conscientious individual, Larry reveled in the security of his family. One of Larry’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Larry was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Larry would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Larry and Chinh were blessed with two children, daughters Thu Thuy and Thu Nhan. They were also blessed with five grandchildren and one great grandchild, Michael Jr, Tevin, Janay, Theron and Avery and grandchild Caomihe Raine Gladney.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Larry was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Larry was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Larry upheld his standards. His primary occupation was as a radiologist. Larry served 20 years in the US Army and 25 years as a radiologist for the Department of Defense. He had a total of 45 years in government service. Larry trained 25% of the radiology residents serving in the Army to date. He was known as the "Ikon of Fluoro." Larry was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Larry was an Army veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He was stationed in Germany, North Carolina, Kansas and Vietnam. Larry saw action in the Vietnam War. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sergeant E-7. He received several awards recognizing him for his heroism, including a National Defense Service Metal, Vietnamese Service Metal, Four Conduct Metals, Vietnam Campaign Metal and he was also a M-16 expert.

Larry approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuit was fishing. He also loved playing with his grandchildren and being with family. Larry was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Larry to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were watching basketball, football and golf. His team was the LA Lakers.

Being generous with his time and energy, Larry liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. Throughout his later years, Larry was active at one point as a Free Mason.

Faith was important to Larry. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member a few Southern Baptist Churches throughout his life.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Larry used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Larry had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included trips to Vietnam, Las Vegas and Silverwood, Idaho.

Larry was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Larry’s favorites was an Irish Setter named Princess. They were best friends for 10 years.

Larry retired from the US Army in February 1985 and from radiology in September 2009. In many ways, Larry loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Larry passed away on December 15, 2010 at Swedish Medical Center-Cherry Hill in Seattle, Washington. He fought diabetes and bravely tried to stay with his family, however, through no fault of his own, he lost his fight. He is survived by his mother, Eloise; his wife Chinh Thi Mack; daughters, Thu Thuy Gladney and Thu Nhan Mack Wanner; grandchildren, Tevin Arnez Gladney, Janay Dormae Gladney, Theron Geoffrey Wanner, Avery Li Wanner and Michael Arnez Gladney Jr; grandchild Caomihe Raine Gladney; and sisters, Joyce Marie Willis, Thelma Louise Henderson, Elaine Jefferson-Reaves and Yvette Mack. Services were held at Yarington's Magnolia Chapel on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 10:00am. Larry was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery.