Lawrence John Ness

Larry was born in Livingston, New Jersey to Edward and Ann Ness. He spent his early childhood years in New Jersey until the family moved to Warner Robins, Georgia for his father’s job when Larry was 10. The youngest of five children, Larry was an outgoing, rambunctious, child which carried into his teenage years and adulthood. He attended Catholic school grades one through 12 and went on to graduate college with a business degree from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). He greatly enjoyed his time spent in Athens and later in life, frequently visited his two children that attended there. Post-college, he worked various sales jobs which eventually led him to Chicago, Illinois where he met his beloved wife, Jennifer. They married and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1985 where they started their family.

Larry was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer in 1997 when his children were three and eight years old. An incredibly strong fighter, he sought treatment – receiving a stem cell transplant and eventually finding his way to remission. He adopted a new lifestyle, strict diet, and gave all glory to God.

Devoted to his family, Larry considered having and raising two children as his greatest life achievement. He imparted many wisdoms onto them, including a deep respect for his wife, parents, and siblings. While he had many serious life events and was serious about his faith, Larry was not hardened by life. He was gregarious, charismatic, witty, sarcastic, hardworking, honest, and the life of the party. His hobbies included playing golf, discussing politics, his real estate career, attending sporting events, and walking and hiking in the great outdoors. To know Larry was to love him, and he was deeply loved by many.

Larry is survived by his wife Jennifer Ness; son Kevin Ness; daughter Lauren Ness; grandchildren Emerson, Luke, and Grant Ness; brother Robert Ness; sister Mary Ann Brooks; and sister Meg Shelton. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Ann Ness and his brother Edward “Buddy” Ness.

A service to honor Larry’s life will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Marietta, Georgia on Friday, March 14 at 11 a.m.Following the service, a burial will take place at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Warner Robins, Georgia at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (lymphoma.org).

He will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts. Larry believed in guardian angels, and he is certainly one of ours now.