He was preceded in death by his parents, Major and Myrtle Goins, great nieces and nephew, Amanda, Krystil, and Erik Conry, his best friend, Lewis VanHooser, and his beloved dog, Sandy, that his daughter surprised him with one Father’s Day and has the honor of being buried with him.
Larry was the ultimate fixer upper. He knew how to troubleshoot anything from chainsaws to cars to houses. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t try to fix, and succeed at, including his daughter’s wild out-of-the-box design ideas. He was a dog sitter/spoiler extraordinaire. He was incredibly witty, sarcastic, frugal, and smart even though he didn’t hold a college degree. He retired from a successful career with TVA after 31 years. His daughter followed in his footsteps and became an employee of TVA as well. Her work anniversary date just so happened to fall on his birthday. She even worked as an operator like he did, in the same building that he did, where she saw her first color computer.
Dad leaves behind unfinished 1960-something mustangs (mostly in parts) because he was too busy helping others to finish his dream car. He also leaves behind his partner of nine years, Ginger; his son, David (Kathryn) Goins and their kids, Jayden and Tabitha who were the best little “nurses” one could ask for; his favorite daughter, Amber (Ben) Goins; his grand dogs, Oliver, Jasper and Yogi Bear, and his sisters, Katherine Mansfield, and Teresia Lane. He also leaves behind two nieces, Kathie (Mike) Conry and Karen (Lamar) Robinson and a favorite nephew, Tim (Korin) Mansfield. He leaves behind many, many cousins, work friends, and other friends as well.
It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes much more to care for a loved one at the end of their days. We are especially thankful for Hearth Hospice for their help in his final days, especially his nurse, Deborah, who went above and beyond her call of duty; Larry’s nephew, Tim Mansfield; Ben Schweighart, Ginger Phillips, and Kathryn Goins. Numerous friends and family helped provide support when we needed it most, especially those favorite no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies that Karen would bake for him and delicious meals provided by other friends and family.
His life was cut way too short and we will all smile when we think of our memories with Larry. His witty smart-ass remarks and his willingness to help anyone will forever be appreciated long after his time.
Larry will be sorely missed by many. How anyone knows that much stuff about that many things will forever be a mystery. He was someone who is willing to help anyone at any time. He loved to teach anyone who wanted to listen. He also loved to lecture and argue with you (i.e. his daughter).
Please join us as we receive friends and tell his children (appropriate) stories about Larry from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2020 in the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Join us in celebrating his life at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2020 in the funeral home with Alan Johnston, a lifelong friend of Larry officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Mansfield, David Goins, Ben Schweighart, and Phillip and Lamar Robinson.
A private burial will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military rites being conducted.
We respectfully request that social distancing, wearing masks, and all CDC measures be adhered to at the funeral home and the cemetery.
Donations may be made to any reputable animal rescue or to his daughter (just a little humor there), who pretty much runs the same operation by picking up all stray dogs (see: Sandy above). Bottles of wine are also acceptable donations.
This obituary was written by his daughter, Amber, and in her time of grief, tried to find some humor to honor her dad, who wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at:
www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
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