I am so sorry  to hear this news,  Larry was one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure  to teach with,,,,my son will be very sad to hear about his passing 
      Sincerely,  Lynne Woods

Larry got me SO charged up on the history o this place after speaking to the Seabrook Rotary, I became a member of the  Museum.  I have met some very nice folks there, and had some very interesting meetings, like with Kay Bailey Hutchison.

As a history lover, and writer (just a side hobby!) being a history professor and researcher was my 2nd choice after being a rocket scientist, which I am.  I never lost the love of history and people like Larry stoked those fires.

God BLESS you my friend and rest in peace!  Hope to see you on the other side so we can continue our discussion of ancient history!!   - Tom

Mr. Spasic was my 7th grade history teacher, and though history was never my favorite subject, he brought it to life.  I thought of him pretty much any time the Sesquicentennial was mentioned and especially when visiting the Alamo with my family a couple of years ago.  I had heard he was at the San Jacinto Monument and had hoped to get out there one day and track him down and let him know that I still remembered him and appreciated all he did to install a love of history, and learning in general, in us.  I know he will be sorely missed by so many.  Somewhere I have a picture of awkward 7th grade me with him (because I took pics with all my teachers), but I can't locate it.  However, I found our group 8th grade photo and I'm actually about 5 rows above him, on the far left, with big hair and a striped top.  I'll never forget him and I know many others won't either.  Prayers to his family and close friends  in this difficult time.

I was very sorry to hear the news about Larry's passing. I worked with Larry for about close to 20 years. He represented the star qualities of a very professional and deeply knowledgeable in his pursuit of whatever endeavors he was involved in his life. He was a caring, responsible and giving person to people in his life and in his professional world. I cannot say enough about Larry that I rarely find in a majority of people I meet and work with that had the qualities that Larry practiced and adhered to. He was a pleasure to work with and to be a dear friend. He made a difference in this world and in peoples lives. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. I know I will remember him for as long as I live.

Added to my enthusiasm and understanding of Texas History. Had the pleasure of being in his class during the Sesquicentennial and raising funds for the Battleship Texas restoration. You made school fun. See you on the next objective.

Larry was always ready to talk and smile when I saw him and always busy . He allowed me to repair some antiques from time to time, which was a true blessing to me  .I'm saddened by his passing and will truly miss him 

Dennis Heckathorne 

I have worked with the Museum for many years and have fond memories of Larry.  I have never met anyone so in love with his wife and his job.  Whenever I was at the Museum and saw Larry, he always mentioned some little story about Nancy (and how lucky he was to have her) and talked about the latest plans he had for improving the Museum.  He was also very caring and treated all the employees like family.  

He will be missed by many.  Rest in Peace, Larry!

I loved his class. I still remember talking about going up north or the Midwest to see family. He said it was for thanksgiving. The guys all went outside to play football in 50 degree weather. Mr. Spasic said they all wore t-shirts and he was in a sweater, jacket, pants, and hat. I live in the Midwest now. It’s cold here. I think of him when I see locals out in the cold in t-shirts and I am wearing a parka. He was a great teacher and story teller. 

Mr. Spasic was such a great teacher, he made learning Texas History really fun. Prayers to his family. 🙏🏻

Our Thoughts and prayers are with the family.  Deepest condolences.

-Alan Wagner and Family

Condolences to family...I remember a very kind, caring teacher. I enjoyed  working with him and, in later years, visiting at SanJacinto monument  activities...RIP Larry....your students  always will remember you

As I sit here reflecting on how great of a person Larry was, I can not help but cry. We have lost such an amazing friend and boss. 

 I will always remember how much Larry made me laugh, he always had something funny to say. I loved my job because I knew I had an amazing boss who was compassionate about his work and cared for his employees. 

One thing that will always stay with me is a moment we shared once on our way back to the museum from a speaking engagement.  I had asked Larry how could he stand in front of so many people and not get shy? How could he speak with so much confidence?  His response, aside with a funny anecdote of course, was  "If you love what you do, standing in front of so many people will not worry you,  it will only make you want to speak more to tell them about your work." He was devoted to the museum, and just as his response, you could tell how much he loved his job, how much he loved the museum, and it showed with every speech he made.  Larry captivated listeners of all ages and made them hungry for more Texas History. 

He sure did leave his mark of History on this earth and will be greatly missed.  Death can never take the memories away, for, in the hearts of the people he inspired, the legacy remains. He was a great teacher, friend, and boss to many.  






I worked at the museum with Larry for 20 years.  Listening  to time talk about Texas History was always interesting. 
 
I miss working with him so much. 

I was shocked to learn of Larry’s passing. In my years working at San Jacinto, I was honored to get to know him as a colleague and friend. He was always so supportive in everything we did to make Texas history come alive for all of our visitors. Recently, I became a teacher of Texas History and Larry sent me all sorts of goodies to decorate my classroom along with a note telling me how proud he was that I was going to be entering into a profession that meant so much to him. Prayers for the family. May God be with you through this hard time. 

What a loss for everyone who knew Larry. I had the pleasure of working with him at the San Jacinto Day Festival for more than a decade.  His love of Texas history was infectious. His love of others even greater.  What big shoes for someone to fill.  My prayers and tears are with his family. 

It saddens my wife Erlinda and myself to have lost such a good friend. We know how hard Larry worked to make the San Jacinto Museum a must see location to all  visitors both local and foreign. I considered Larry a good friend not only to my self but also to the San Jacinto Volunteers.  Larry and the museum donated time and money to keep the reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto alive for many years.  His efforts will never be forgotten by those who new him.
God Bless Texas and Larry Spasic.

Colonel and Mrs. Jerry Tubbs

We got to know Larry quite well over the past decade and worked with him on several fund raising events for the San Jacinto Museum of History. He invited me as a speaker on the SS Sam Houston where we chugged down Buffalo Bayou spouting Texas history along the way.  Over the years, we always saw him as a total professional in regards to hosting the San Jacinto Dinner, charming both distinguished visitors and rank and file patrons on the battlegrounds and through the museum. A good friend and a tireless promoter of Texas history, his passing leaves a gap that is not easily filled. Our sympathies and prayers are with the family.  - Jim & Jodie Bevill

After fixing an old radio for the museum in the summer of 1989, Larry hired me to run the new theatre to be built in 1990!

Larry has been my boss and friend for the last 31 years.  

He has done so many good things for the museum and staff that would take hundreds of  pages to list.

It was so easy to make him laugh, We will miss you! 



I was shocked and saddened to hear that Larry had passed.  His passion for the history of the Texas was evident in everything he did.  As his coworker for nearly fifteen years, I knew him as a man who was always willing to help his staff with issues that were both professional and personal in nature and admired the fact that he never hesitated to offer a compassionate ear to those who needed it.  He would often take the time to share a fact-filled anecdote with visitors as he walked through the exhibits at the San Jacinto Monument and many  would later comment that while the site was wonderful and the experience was compelling, it was the "man with the beard" who brought Texas to life for them .   My prayers and thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Brian, you could not have said it better. I also worked at the San Jacinto Museum of History for the last 31 years from 1989-2020.  Larry Spasic was my boss and the best boss I could have ever had he meant the world to me and my family.

The Museum, Monument and Texas History was literally his passion. Every time I would walk through the elevator lobby, front lobby or exhibit gallery you would find Larry educating guests about exhibits in the cases, explaining the Charles Shaw paintings, or just greeting guests and finding out where they were from.

I don’t think there has been or ever will be anyone more knowledgeable about Texas History than him.  Yes, he did a thousand things that drove us crazy but then he would not be the Larry will all knew and loved. 

He bragged all the time about the love of his Life Nancy whom he met in college and how unbelievably proud he was of his 2 sons Robert and Ryan.  

I will miss him very much! I won’t say goodbye, just see you later…. 


I worked at the San Jacinto Museum of History from 1993-2001.  During that time, J.C. Martin was the Director and Larry Spasic was the Assistant Director.  I have so many fond memories of working with people who truly wanted to teach and celebrate our state's rich history, including its most significant military event, the Battle of San Jacinto.  

Larry helped get me hired, and he also covered for me a time or two (or perhaps a multiplier of that) when I would hide out in the outer basement or the 49th floor storage area of the Monument cramming for night classes during law school.  He was a profoundly good, honest, decent and intelligent person.  I owe him much and will never forget our conversations or the many kind things he did for me.  

I remember how conscientious Larry was, and I could probably list a thousand things he did that drove me crazy at the time, but which now I appreciate.   To this day, when I am proof reading something to check for typos, I read  the text backward just as Larry insisted on us doing together every time I drafted text for a didactic panel, an exhibit label or a brochure.  Beyond all else, the thing I remember the most about Larry was how much he loved his wife and two boys and how proud he was of them.   

There is much more I could say.  I am so sad today and so sorry for his family's loss.   I am sure anyone who knew Larry  feels the same way.

Brian Butcher







OBITUARY

Larry Michael Spasic

May 19, 1951 – December 6, 2020

Grand View Funeral Home & Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery

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