Lawrence M. Matheny Jr.

MATHENY – Lawrence Merrill Matheny Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September, 11th 2024 at the age of 81. Born on July 4, 1943, Larry was the oldest child of Lawrence M. Matheny Sr. and Sarah H. Matheny (Starr). Except for time spent in military service Larry was a lifelong resident of North Florida. Attending local public schools, Larry was a member of the 1961 graduating class at Robert E. Lee High School. While there he was a star pitcher on the school’s baseball team that won the State Championship and also where he met his future wife Carol (Meclewski). Larry then attended and graduated from the University of Florida in April of 1965 with a degree in business administration majoring in accounting. At Florida he played on the school’s baseball team and was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After college graduation he and Carol were married and were stationed at U.S. Air Force flight schools in Del Rio, Texas (Laughlin AFB) and then Sherman, Texas (Perrin AFB). Subsequently in a 20 year flying career as a fighter pilot with the Florida Air National Guard Larry flew the F-102, F-106, T-33, T-37 and T-38 aircraft logging more than 2500 hours of jet fighter aircraft time before retiring in 1986.

In 1972 Larry and his father, Lawrence Sr., purchased a small automobile dealership (Sport Auto Inc.) that would grow and later become Matheny Jaguar on Atlantic Boulevard. Larry was President and General Manager of that dealership during part of his tenure there.

In March of 1984 Larry, a CPA, joined the Scott-McRae Automotive Group first as Corporate Controller and then as Chief Financial Officer in a career that spanned 25 years with that company. As part of the partnership group that included Walter A. McRae Jr., Jack L. Scott, Henry H. “Tip” Graham Jr. and his wife Diane M, Graham, Dr. Bruce D. Ivey, David C, Hodges Jr., Glynn Wimberly, James H. Winston and many others the company grew into one of the largest automobile dealership groups in the United States with annual sales, at one point, exceeding $800 million dollars. Larry was a partner, officer and director in each of the Company’s automobile dealerships and related companies in Jacksonville, Tampa, Gainesville, Brandon, Pensacola, Clearwater and Starke, Florida before retiring in December, 2008.

During his career Larry served on the boards of several local not-for- profits organizations and was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Beach.

In his later years he enjoyed playing golf and spending time with Carol at their summer home in Waynesville, North Carolina.

He is survived by two sons, Douglas and David (Jennifer) both of the Charlotte, North Carolina area and two daughters Elizabeth Henderson of St, Augustine and Laura Walls of Jacksonville Beach. His 11 grandchildren are Ruby Matheny, Abigail Henderson, Eli Henderson, Isaac Henderson, Levi Henderson, Olivia Matheny, Zoe Matheny, Lawson Walls, Jackson Walls, Hudson Walls and Leighton Walls. Also surviving is a brother Ray (Marcee) of Jacksonville and two sisters Kathy Beck (Ray) of League City, Texas and Julia Deck of the Atlanta, Georgia area.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Carol, a younger brother Steve both of Jacksonville and a niece, Kristin Weaver of League City, Texas.

Funeral services are being handled by Hardage-Giddens at 4801 San Jose Blvd. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at the Church of Eleven 22, San Pablo campus (Corner of Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road) on September 21, 2024 at 10:00am followed by a private interment at Oaklawn Cemetery with military honors.