Larry Swanson Hiatt Sr., passed from this life on 14 September, 2021, at 77 years and 11 days. He is preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Ruth Loggins Hiatt, father, Cabble Swanson Hiatt, and son, Larry "Buddy" Swanson Hiatt Jr. Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice Lee Gordon Hiatt, daughter Tonya Renee Hiatt Fair, sister Butch Hiatt Matlock, and dogs Sugarpie and Flash Morgan. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Maegan Hiatt Wilson, Zachary Hartgrove Fair, Sarah Alice Fair Whitaker, Alexandria Hiatt Fair, Lyndsey Marie Hornagold, and Cole Ausby Hiatt; and three great-grandchildren: Kelin Wilson, Kyle Wilson, and Phoebe Whitaker. In addition to grandchildren, Larry leaves behind one niece, Melinda Matlock Kyle, and three nephews, Jeff Matlock, Ben Matlock, and Jay Matlock.
Larry went to Walkertown High School and moved on to graduate from North Carolina State University with a degree in engineering, which he applied to his work at Ingersoll Rand in Mocksville, North Carolina, for many years. He was an active member of the Oak Island Water Rescue as a lieutenant, while also dedicating his time to the Oak Island Police Department as a volunteer.
Larry was very proud of his Moravian heritage, and at a young age, he had become a full member of the congregation at Home Moravian Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Later, he also became a member of Clemmons Moravian Church, where he would play the clarinet with the church band on holidays, Lovefeasts, and services, and also help brew coffee for Lovefeasts. He also gave time to Calvary Moravian Church, where there was a time when he played the clarinet in the band, as well as helped brew coffee for Lovefeast services.
Larry was a jack of all trades -- he loved painting, golfing, boating, fishing, playing bridge, and racketball. He loved to travel with his family. Together with his wife, he saw Great Britain, Ireland, Nova Scotia, and many states within the United States.
Larry was one of the kindest men others would have had the privilege of meeting or having in their life. Not only kind, but patient, caring, observant, and optimistic. Most importantly he was loving; his heart was full of loving affection for his entire family -- his wife, his son, his daughter, his pets, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He graced them with so many fond memories that have created a huge impact, and those memories will always be remembered greatly.
Because he loved the ocean and his fellow Oak Island Water Rescue team so much, a small memorial service will be held by the Oak Island Water Rescue and immediate family to release a portion of the cremated remains into the ocean off the coast of Oak Island, North Carolina. A larger, outdoor service will be held at Clemmons Moravian Church at a date to be announced in the coming weeks, where he will be interred in God’s Acre. Friends and family will be invited to this service to celebrate his life. Attendees are encouraged to not wear black, as Larry added so much color to everyones’ lives.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clemmons Moravian Church in Larry’s memory.
Larry was a man that does not come often. He was a man with a pure soul; a gold soul.
“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay.”
-Robert Frost
Condolences may be shared online at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Hiatt family.
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