Squire Thomas "Tom" LaRose

Squire Thomas (Tom) LaRose of Greensboro, NC and Singer Island, FL peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his beloved wife of 35 years, family, and dear friends on Monday, December 21, 2015. He enjoyed a life full of rich experiences and travels that were a constant source of wonder and appreciation for him.

Tom was born December 26, 1931 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the son of Shorty and Elizabeth LaRose and moved to Greensboro as a young boy. He graduated from Christ School and enjoyed spending his school holidays in Riveria Beach, Florida. He attended Guilford College and NC State University studying animal husbandry. Tom’s first business adventure was as the owner of a dairy farm, a rather ambitious undertaking for someone raised in the city. He loved his cows, even though the profitability of this endeavor was limited. He joined the family business, S. LaRose, Inc. where he became recognized worldwide as an expert in antique clocks and watches, and jewelry parts. From 1987-1989 he served as President of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Tom later retired to run LaRose Properties providing land parcels for significant Greensboro developments such as Elon University and the NewBridge Bank Park.

If you were lucky enough to meet Tom LaRose, you likely have a friend for life and a story to tell. Father, husband, son, business leader, comedian, storyteller, world traveler, humanitarian, he relished “Talking trash and drinking mash”. There was never a shortage of stories and laughs when in his presence. He devoted countless hours to support friends in need or to brighten someone’s day, chatting with the homeless or telling jokes to others at hospital appointments. He has friends around the world and found his life enriched by celebrating our common joys of laughter, loyalty, and gaining decades long friendships. Tom loved to read and acquire trivia knowledge. He would have been a great Jeopardy contestant and could list all the US presidents in order with their years of service and opponents, states and capitals, and all 200+ countries. He was a lifelong lover of walking and enjoyed cultivating palm trees.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother and father, Elizabeth and Shorty LaRose, sister, Galena Rice, and son, Michael Joe LaRose, and his dog, Mr. Buttons.

Tom is survived by his best friend and wife of 35 years, Clara LaRose. Their years together were a grand adventure spent with world travel and sunny days at their home in Singer Island Florida. He is also survived by a sister Jane Laing, 5 children, Thomas William LaRose, Nona LaRose Fahl, Johanna Louise LaRose, Tina LaRose Scudder, and Jonathan Edward LaRose, grandchildren Kelly Fradin, Shelby Scudder, Michael Trey Scudder, Tori Scudder, Nicholas LaRose and Vivienne LaRose. Tom has one great grandchild Thomas Fradin. There are too many special friends and family members to list but the family extends special appreciation to Marc Scudder, Roy Fahl, Nicole LaRose, Greg Seagraves, Mary Gail LaRose, Mike Moses, Paul Dennis, Woo and Mary Ross Woosley, and their Florida neighbors that are too wonderful and numerous to name.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148. The best memorial to honor Tom’s life is to share a smile and pass along kindness to others each day.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held Thursday Dec 24, 2015, at 10 AM, Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.