Larry, thank you for sharing the gift of yourself through your teaching. It is in this way that I was blessed to meet you and be inspired by your life.
 I will always remember your kind and joyful smile; your encouragement. You will be missed. My prayers and condolences to the Gorrell family. Peace to you.

I am just now learning of Larry's passing. I have fond memories of Larry from my days at Grace HS.
My prayers and condolences to the Gorrell family.

Jeff Ferguson

I'll miss you Larry. You were an inspiration and light for so many. I couldn't have made it through grad school without you. Blessings to your family.

I am so sad because I got a heartbreaking message that My most favorite teacher in SMU Larry Gorrell  passed away. I never imagine this moment will come. He is the most delight person I never meet before. He never turned me down and always willing to help me. He knew my difficulties and he always cheer me up. I still remember that every week we meet each other to talk everything in his "office"-- Cardinal Club. He light up my future, he helped me clarify what I want to do for my future career.  He also led me to the bright side of my life, when I feel depressing. He like my grandfather, and also my closed friend. I miss you Larry Gorrell. I will pray for you. The message came suddenly, I need time to calm down. Time is passing away, but for you the love is never gone. Pray for you.

So very sad to lose such a wonderful, kind, hysterical, and talented man, teacher, but above all....friend. Peace and blessings to his family and all who loved him.

The world lost an amazing man today and heaven gained one hell of an angel.  Larry Gorrell thank you for everything. Thank you for your mentorship and more importantly thank you for your friendship.  I would not be where I am today if it hadn't been for you.  RIP friend. You are missed.

When I moved to Winona in 1992, Larry was my new next door neighbor and literally the very first person I met in Minnesota.  To say that he fundamentally changed the course of my life is a gross understatement.  My life today would be so very different had we never met.   Knowing what he did for me, he also did for so many, many lives is evidenced by the many messages here.  Thoughts and prayers always.

Dear Larry - I adored you - an irrepressible and sassy spirit.

Going to miss the conversations and the laughter and the knowledge he brought to those conversations.  Heaven is the true benefactor in this situation.  Prayers to the remainder of the family and to all those whose lives have been touched by knowing Larry.

Very sad day for the entire family with the passing of my Uncle Larry Gorrell.  He was more than just an amazing Uncle, he was so intelligent and articulated.

The fact that you let me use my summer theatre job as a Senior project when I fell short 1/2 a credit in PE so I could graduate made you the BEST academic adviser ever. The fact that you helped me grow into a Professional Box Office Manager/performer/crew/theatre lover made you the best mentor ever. The fact you could make me laugh until I cried and/or peed made you the best friend ever. I will miss you, say hi to Doc for me.

Larry could find light in everything. I will always remember his giggle. His passing is a reminder to find laughter and love in everyone.

We moved to The Big Apple together. We lived together off and on during those years. We worked together and hosted the first several "Orphan's Thanksgivings" together I will miss your smile, your hugs, and the light in your eyes.  My dear friend.......I love you so much

Larry Gorrell - You deserve more than just one shout out.  I owe you a great debt... your guidance helped me through college and life.  The best Dean - but also such a good friend.  Thank you for many laughs my friend.

RIP Larry Gorrell. Definitely the one of the most joyful and inspiring people I've known and will certainly be missed dearly by so many.

Yesterday, my graduate school professor and adviser, Larry Gorrell, passed away. He was an inspiring and intelligent soul with a terrific sense of humor. Larry brought light into a room and into the hearts and minds of all who knew him. This tribute is not nearly enough for this fine human being named Larry Gorrell. All I can say is thank you for caring and thank you for being yourself.

RIP Larry Gorrell. You were one of the greats.

In memory of my dear, dear friend Larry Gorrell.  My cover photo was taken back in the late 1980's during one of the opening night parties we held for Shapiro & Smith Dance -- our Harper/Gorrell Associates clients.  As Larry used to say, we had a lot of "good times, good times!"

I was too upset yesterday to even try to put into words how my heart broke when I read of the passing of Larry Gorrell. He was an amazing and inspirational man. He opened my mind to so many things and helped me through some very rough and transitional times in college. He was so near and dear to my heart and he was a huge part of who I am today. He was an amazing mentor, director, professor, and friend to me. He always had a cold cream soda for me or a seat on a couch for some Grey's Anatomy. Thank you Larry for everything you gave to me, I will miss you everyday my friend.

Larry was one remarkable man, truly will be missed

Larry was my professor and adviser when I did the arts admin program in the '90s. He was hysterically funny, inspirational but also pragmatic about our chosen field. He constantly reminded us that we are administrators AND artists. I defended my thesis over multiple bottles of wine in his Blaisdell Ave. apt. He knew everyone. Reading all of the tributes on this page, it's clear that while we all had our own experiences of Larry, he was consistently a friend and guiding light to all who knew him. My condolences to the Gorrell family. Viva Larry!

Thank you for believing in me through college and the years after. I loved having you in my corner, and being in yours. The world became lonelier this week knowing you're not here. Rest easy my friend. When we see you again, we're going to put on one hell of a production (and an after party).

I dreamed about u last night, there is a guy looks exactly the same to u and same teaching style. He were giving a class to me, but I could not hear anything. I only read his face and emotion. He was smiling all the time. After class, I walk to him and asked him " are u Larry?" He said nothing, but smile... Larry I miss you, u seem as a star leading me to the bright side, u will shining everlasting in my life.

I spent two weeks of Lasallian Studies classes at St. Mary's in Moraga, CA, a few years ago with Larry Gorrell. Although we only corresponded by Facebook, his recent passing was a shock to me and many others. At Buttimer, we hit it off immediately, mostly because of our similar senses of humor and tendencies towards sarcasm. Larry was a great guy. He will be missed. Rest in peace, my brother.

A tribute to my grad school mentor Larry Gorrell. A beautiful human, perfectly adorable man, true servant leader, deeply appreciative of the humor in this life -he spread joy wherever he went. It was an honor to have known him. Larry my friend, you will be missed.

Larry, You will be missed.  You accepted me into the Human Development Program, became my mentor and friend.  I will forever have ingrained in my life my visit to Winona and lunch your last full day on earth.  Thank You again for all you have done for me.  We are forever grateful to you my friend,

We will miss Larry's wonderful sense of humor, his irreverent wit and genuine and loving laughter. Thanks, Larry, for sharing your love of life with us.

Larry, you helped inspire many students and touched many hearts. You helped change me into the man I am today and I will forever be in your debt. You will be deeply missed.

Dear old pal, I still see London through your eyes.  It is a forever memory for me.  Godspeed.

Larry was a mentor, a teacher, a friend, an inspiration and played a seminal role in a transformative time in my life.  He will be dearly missed. "Hola, Lawrence," may light perpetual shine upon you.

I have so many warm memories of Larry, so many rich and fun conversations.  He was a genuine and thoughtful person, and will be deeply missed.

I am sad to hear about Larry's passing. He was a good friend. I remember many good times over the years especially parties at Mae's and trips to New York. I will pray for Larry and his family.

We will celebrate you forever.......and miss you profoundly until we're together again. Love always,
Mary & Toni Fox

I am saddened to hear the sudden news of Larry's passing.  Larry ran the SMC theater while I was a student.  I chose St. Mary's because of their wonderful theater program, but I had no idea, until now reading his obituary, how big a role he played in my theatrical experience at SMC.  We always had the most amazing arts performances which I would usher at school and my London experience as a young actress changed my life, enabling me to become a successful professional actress in NYC.  I owe Larry thanks for all that he made accessible to a young Iowa girl, opening up my artistic world and self-expression.  Now a teacher, I try to live up to his friendly, helpful, interested demeanor as an educator.  Larry always made time to listen, always helped us navigate our professional queries, and always had a smile and hug for everyone he encountered.  My sympathies to the SMU community and all his siblings and relatives who loved him dearly.

Larry was always smiling.  He was always fully present when with you, always interested in your life.  He was a very kind soul.  Our heartfelt sympathy to Larry's family and dear ones.

Larry was my high school teacher, drama director, and friend.  I have no qualms whatsoever saying that I would be a very different person today were it not for the role he played in my young life.  He has left us too soon - but as he once wrote to me (and to others), quoting a song from the musical "Pippin": "Don't ask where I'm going, just listen when I'm gone.  And far away you'll hear me singing softly to the dawn..."  I hear you, Larry.  I hear you.

Thank you Larry for all you did in helping people over the years. We were all blessed to have you at some point in our lives. You and your family were wonderful neighbors as well. You will be missed, especially those that you deeply touched over the years. May you rest in peace.

We will be forever grateful for Larry's ability to see the good in everyone and for all he did to help our son through a difficult time in his life.  
Keeping your family in prayer, may God bring you comfort.

So sorry to hear of the passing of such a great man and friend - he was very special to many.  God's comfort and blessings  to his family and friends.

OBITUARY

Lawrence P. Gorrell

June 30, 1948 – November 11, 2015

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