Lawrence Herman Kloess Jr.

Colonel Lawrence Herman Kloess, Jr. (Larry) went home to be with his Lord on March 4, 2022 at the age of 95. Born on January 30, 1927 in Mamaroneck, New York, he was the son of the late Lawrence Herman Kloess and Harriette Holly Kloess. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, the former Eugenia (Jean) Ann Underwood, of Birmingham, and is survived by his four sons: Lawrence H. Kloess, III (Karen) of Kingston Springs, Tennessee, Dr. Price M. Kloess (Joy) of Birmingham, Branch D. Kloess (Carol) of Montgomery and David H. Kloess (Janice) of Marietta, Georgia; and 11 grandchildren: Emily Kloess York (Andrew), Jason Kloess, Brandon Kloess, Jr. (Marissa), Lawrence Kloess, IV, Lauren Kloess Razick, Rachel Kloess Taslimi (Ray), Margaret Kloess Garcia (Zenon), Madeleine Kloess, Matthew Kloess, Emma Kloess, and James Kloess; and 7 great grandchildren: Jackson York, Elizabeth Ruth York, Emerson Katherine Kloess, Hardy Razick, Branch Donelson Kloess, III, Solomon Thane Taslimi, and Pace Razick.

He enjoyed a long and wonderful life. Prior to graduating high school, Larry enlisted in the U. S. Navy at age 17 and served in the Navy Amphibious Forces in the South Pacific theater during WWII.

After returning home to New York following the war, he graduated from high school, and then moved south to enter the University of Alabama where he obtained a BA degree in History and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1956. He practiced law in Birmingham until 1968 when he joined the Veteran's Administration legal team and moved to Montgomery as the agency’s chief legal counsel for the southeastern U.S.

He also enjoyed a long and distinguished military career in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring at the full rank of Colonel in 1987.

Larry will long be remembered for many things including his love of family, big band music, cars (including antique fire trucks), American patriotism, sage advice and many close friends. He will also be remembered for his many accomplishments and recognitions throughout his legal career and military service. He remained active in leadership of the Alpha Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and most recently received the “Theta Chi for Life” Award from the fraternity’s national Grand Chapter.

Larry was a member of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church. He had a deep faith in his Savior Jesus Christ, and we rejoice that he is now home and whole in heaven, and dancing with his beloved wife, Jean.

Larry’s celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on March 11, 2022, at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A visitation will be held at the Church beginning at 11:30 am. Burial will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Harry Nelson, Kim Lewis, Charles Alford, Bill Allison, George Landry, and Colonel Kloess’ 5 grandsons: Larry Kloess, IV, Jason Kloess, Brandon Kloess, Matthew Kloess, and James Kloess.

Family suggests that memorials be made to the following organizations: the Big Oak Ranch, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Foundry in Birmingham, the Humane Society of Montgomery, the Men of Valor prison ministry in Nashville, TN, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Kloess family.