Rev. Larry James Dial

There are some people whose lives cannot be measured by years, accomplishments, or titles alone, but by the countless hearts they leave forever changed. Rev. Larry James Dial was one of those rare souls.

Larry James Dial entered the presence of his Lord Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after a life spent doing what he believed mattered most: loving God wholeheartedly and loving people unconditionally. Whether you knew him as Pastor, Professor, Mentor, Counselor, Teacher, Baker, Artist, Handyman, Travel Companion, Confidant, or simply Friend, you knew you were deeply loved.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Jo Dial; his grandparents, Reaford and Grace Dial and Roy and Helen Reed.

He leaves behind a family that extends far beyond bloodlines. He is survived by his beloved surrogate son, Brian (Trisha) Pierson; sister, Sue Bivens; brother, Richard Dial; nephews, Greg (Annette) Bivens, Tony (Ellen) Bivens, and Jimmy (Jessica) Dial; great-nephews and great-nieces, Elijah Dial, Gregory Bivens, Laurana Parsons, Trevor Childs, EllaJane Bivens, and Maggie Mae Bivens; along with many cherished cousins and friends.

Larry also leaves behind an extraordinary circle of lifelong friends who became family. Among them were his treasured “Amigos,” Phyllis Henry and Dr. Jimmy Milan; Greg and Windy Clayton and their beloved fur babies, whom Larry affectionately claimed as his nieces and faithfully loved, spoiled, and cared for as their devoted Uncle Larry; Julie Gossett; John Knox; Sherry Boles a dear friend since their meeting at Emory: his faithful Monday morning pastor support group; his Bearden classmates; his Hiwassee College students and colleagues; fellow members of the Smoky Mountain Passion Play; and countless clergy, church members, neighbors, and friends from Tennessee to Maine and beyond.

After teaching psychology at Hiwassee College, Larry answered God’s call to ordained ministry in the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church. What began as a calling became a lifetime of faithful service. He first served at Huskey’s Grove United Methodist Church, followed by an appointment to First United Methodist Church of Gatlinburg. His ministry then led him to Virginia, where he faithfully shepherded the congregations of Pisgah United Methodist Church, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Prospect United Methodist Church, and Nottingham United Methodist Church. His journey eventually took him to the coast of Maine, where he served the beloved congregation of Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church before returning home to Tennessee to minister at Asbury United Methodist Church, Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, and Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church.

At every appointment, Larry built far more than a congregation; he built a family. His gift was making each person feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. Larry’s commitment to serving others extended well beyond the local church. He generously shared his gifts with the broader community, serving on the Wesley Foundation Board and, at the time of his passing, as Vice President of the Historic Ramsey House Board of Directors. Whether mentoring college students, preserving local history, cooking for the wood cutter crew at Cherokee, or encouraging future generations of faith leaders, Larry gave of himself with the same servant’s heart that defined every aspect of his life.

Although he officially retired from full-time ministry, retirement never truly suited Larry. In 2021, he joyfully answered the call to serve French Broad United Methodist Church. Then, in 2023, he accepted the additional role of pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church, serving both churches and continuing to do what brought him the greatest joy: walking alongside God’s people with wisdom, humor, and an open heart. His final years of ministry were marked by the same servant’s spirit that had defined his entire life.

To know Larry was to feel seen. He possessed an extraordinary gift for making every person believe they were the most important person in the room. The remarkable truth was that everyone who felt that way was right. His heart was large enough to love each person fully, uniquely, and without reservation.

His ministry reached far beyond the pulpit. He walked beside people through grief, divorce, illness, doubt, and celebration. He officiated weddings, baptized children, comforted the brokenhearted, mentored young people discerning God’s call, encouraged those who felt invisible, and welcomed everyone without judgment. He believed that Christ’s greatest commandment was simply to love, and he spent his life proving it.

Larry’s friendships were lifelong adventures filled with choir tours, youth retreats, road trips, hikes, madrigal dinners, seminary conversations, laughter, coffee, lobster dinners on Embden Pond in Maine, and countless Saturday night meals with dear friends. He could carry on thoughtful conversations with bishops and the unhoused with the same humility, respect, and authenticity. He never met a stranger, only friends he had not yet introduced himself to. His talents seemed endless. He could build, repair, bake, create, play music, tell stories, solve problems, calm anxious hearts, and somehow always know exactly what someone needed. His laughter was infectious, his wisdom was gentle, and his smile had a way of making difficult days seem manageable.

Perhaps Larry’s greatest legacy is not found in the churches he served or the sermons he preached, but in the people he taught to love more generously. His influence lives on in every person who chooses compassion over judgment, welcome over exclusion, and grace over condemnation because they first saw those virtues lived so beautifully in him.

Scripture tells us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Those words seem written for a life like Larry’s.

Those who knew Larry also knew the special place in his heart reserved for his beloved dogs, Tuco and Kumar. They were faithful companions who brought him immeasurable joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love throughout the years. Though his earthly journey has ended, the love he poured into thousands of lives. continues to ripple outward. His family and friends take comfort knowing that the angel who walked among them has now been welcomed home by the Savior he faithfully served and reunited with those he loved so dearly, including his treasured companions, Tuco and Kumar.

To honor Larry’s memory is to continue his life’s work: love people for who they are, make room at your table, offer grace freely, laugh often, serve humbly, and remind those around you that they are deeply loved. His absence leaves an immeasurable void, but his example leaves an even greater gift.

A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at The White Barn, 7309 Kodak Rd., Knoxville, TN 37914. All who knew and love Larry are invited to gather and celebrate a life so beautifully lived. Together, we will honor Larry’s memory, share stories, laugh together, and give thanks for the countless ways he touched our lives. Though his presence will be deeply missed, his legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know him.