Larry Pecht

Lawrence L. "Larry" Pecht, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29, 2014. Larry was born on February 3, 1929 in Jarrell, Texas. He grew up in Williamson County, Texas and graduated from Georgetown High School in 1947.

Following high school, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army, attended OCS and served state-side during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953 having achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant and received the National Defense Service Medal. Following his military service, Larry graduated from Texas A&M in 1957. Larry began his career at Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He amassed a 40 year career with Westinghouse, Nunn Electric, and WESCO, as an Electrical Sales Engineer before retiring. Larry met and married JoAnn Brantley in 1960. Together they raised three children in Houston.

Outside of work, Larry was an adult leader of the Cub Scouts, Webelos and Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Order of the Arrow. Larry also served as a pee-wee baseball and youth football coach in the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association.

Larry enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Larry was an endowed member and Past Master of Jacques DeMolay Lodge #1390 where he received the Golden Trowel Award. A 32nd degree K.C.C.H. Scottish Rite Mason, and active in the Arabia Shriners, he held various staff positions with the Shriners. He was also Past President of the Arabia Shrine Drum and Bugle Corps and Past President of the Texas Shrine Drum Corps Association. "Dad" Pecht served as an adult leader of the Reagan Chapter Order of DeMolay and was awarded the Honorary Legion of Honor.

He was an early member of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church and served on the church council. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bertha (Peterson) Pecht, wife JoAnn (Brantley) Pecht, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Paul Oman, and brother Leslie, and brother and sister in-law Elmer & Viola Pecht. Larry is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Norman and Lila Pecht, sister-in-law Johnnie Pecht, children Larry Pecht and wife Cydell; daughter Margaret (Peggy) Costello and husband Rich; son Joseph Pecht; grandchildren Danelle and Katheryn Pecht, Alec and Jared Costello, and Ashton and Kyle Pecht as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm at Forest Park Westheimer. Services will be held on Monday June 2, 2014 at 10 am at Memorial Drive Lutheran Church with graveside interment immediately following at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. Services conducted by Pastor Jeffrey Zetto, of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church. Pall Bearers include William Pecht, Greg Pecht, John Oman, John Clark, Terry Davlin, and Karl Klopfenstein. Honorary pall bearers include Norman Pecht, Lee Brantley, members of Jacques DeMolay Lodge, Houston Scottish Rite, and Arabia Shriners.

The family wishes to thank Dr. David Reininger, Dr. Charles Caplan, and Dr. William Fleming, III for their continued care and medical treatment of Lawrence, especially during the last years of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, The Shriners Hospitals for Children, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice.