Larry Lay

In 1947, Larry was born at the old Seton Hospital on West 26th St. , son of Wallace and Alice Helgren Lay. Larry attended Robert E. Lee Elementary, J. E. Pearce Junior High and was a proud 1965 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High (Rio Grande campus). At Austin High, Larry was co-drum major along with good friend David Holt. Larry thought the reason he was a drum major was to make the trombone section sound better since he wasn’t playing his trombone. Larry attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting.

In 1969, Larry began his career in accounting in Austin and became a CPA; he was in public practice for over 57 years in Austin starting at Main LaFrentz (now KPMG), Gibson Johnson & Co., Faske Lay & Co. and Larry Lay CPA PLLC., with special thanks to Brenda Brenner and Sandy Kelm, and many long-time accounting clients for their confidence. Larry also served his country for 6 years in the Texas Army National Guard as a Recon Sergeant. A/4/133 FA, TXANG.

In 1972, Larry married Teresa Todd (Austin High Class of 1966). Their honeymoon was to Colorado where they spent pulling a tent camper to a different campground each night except for two hotel stays. Teresa was a trooper, and they did not realize at the time but their one night camping stay in Rocky Mountain National Park would subsequently lead to almost annual summer stays with their children and now their grandchildren in cabins at the YMCA facility in Estes Park adjacent to RMNP. He truly loved watching the grandchildren's happy faces being there and on their trips to Disney World, truly the most magical place on earth. In 1976, they moved to beautiful Northwest Hills. Thank you Barrow family for the neighborhood.

His two most favorite hobbies included UT sports and traveling. From 1965, he attended 49 of 50 UT/OU games-Teresa wouldn't let him go to one as she was expecting their oldest daughter Allison in 1974. During a 52-year period beginning in 1965, he attended all but 3 UT football home games and beginning in 1977 for 33 years, attending all but 4 UT home Erwin Center men's basketball games. Attending both the 2005 Rose Bowl game vs. Michigan and the 2006 Rose Bowl vs. USC National Championships were two of his proudest UT sports moments. . Thank you to all the UT student athletes and spirit groups - Longhorn Band, Cheerleaders, Texas Pom, Alpha Phi Omega (APO) with the Texas flag, Silver Spurs, Bevo, Cowboys and the Hellraisers for your hard work and efforts over the many years.

During their marriage, Larry and Teresa resided in Austin and raised 3 wonderful children, Allison, Cindy and Missy. All are University of Texas at Austin graduates; all graduating in four years. Cindy also has J.D. and LL.M. law degrees. Teresa and Larry were fortunate to live within one mile of their grandchildren and watch them grow from birth. During their 54 years together, he and Teresa enjoyed traveling making it to 49 states (lacking North Dakota) seeing the beautiful U.S. countryside, national parks, state capitols, universities and as many sights as they could ; most of the Canadian Provinces ; 30 countries in Europe over many trips - mainly acting as their own tour guides, traveling by train and rental car but later in group tours.

Over the years, Larry attended and supported all of his daughters’ youth activities, taking an excessive amount of pictures and movies. Allison, Cindy and Missy were all involved in dance recitals and Anderson Trojan Belle dancers/officers where he lovingly referred to dance intermission as “halftime.” He volunteered as the girls’ softball coach, kickball umpire, PTA Co-President with Teresa, PTA Treasurer and Dance Team treasurer at the girls’ schools, was a Life Member (Honorary) of Texas PTA, and Past-President of the Northwest Austin Civic Association. Teresa and Larry also ran the Northwest Hills 4th of July Parade for 14 years. He was a Life Member National Guard Association of Texas. Member AICPA and TSCPA. Served on various local non-profit boards. Former Member/chairman of local and state CPA committees; Former Member of Austin City Manager's Task Force on Oak Wilt; Former Board Member of Volunteer Healthcare Clinic; Former Public Member of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas, and as a volunteer with disabled parking enforcement for Travis County Constable Precinct 5. Don't park in a disabled parking space without a permit.

Larry lived a wonderful life, was surrounded by his adoring family, worked hard and was blessed in many ways. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace (1968) and Alice (2012).

Larry is survived by his wife, Teresa; their children, Allison Popov and her husband Leo of Austin; Cindy Lay of Austin and Sisters, Oregon; and Missy Sharpe and her husband Rob of Austin; his grandchildren, Nikolay Popov, Sutton Sharpe, Natalia Popov, T.J. Sharpe and Riley Sharpe. He also loved Sheldon, their rescue pug, who gave him great companionship.

In his final words of wisdom: Will Rogers never met Barry Switzer, Mike Campbell should have succeeded Darrell Royal, Go Pack Go, The Sound of Music - best movie ever, experience Figment, if you love someone, tell them now and often; Climb Every Mountain.

Visitation: Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 PM, Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive (please wear burnt orange - sorry, Aggies).

Funeral: Thursday, May 21 at 11 AM, Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, reception to follow. Burial at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice Austin or Pug Rescue of Austin.