Larry T. Golomb, age 74, died peacefully in his sleep on March 1, 2019, at his home in Le Roy, IL.
Larry is survived by his mother, Genevieve Golomb of Homer Glen, IL, his daughter, Janeen (Barrett Moore) and their children, Bryce (13) and Saige (11); his son, Andrew (Nicole) and their sons, Oliver (3), and Theodore (1), all of Charlotte, NC; and older brother, Wayne, and his wife, Graceia, of North Muskegon, Michigan.
He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond, of Homer Glen, IL and special friend and neighbor, Arlo Ford of Le Roy, IL.
Larry was born on July 5, 1944, in Chicago, the second child and son of Raymond and Genevieve Golomb. He married Donna Jeann Stec, his high school sweetheart (Bogan High School, Chicago, IL) and a teacher, on April 1, 1967. They were married for 38 years. At the time of his death, they had reconciled and were friendly companions, even sharing dinner together the evening of his passing.
Larry graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN in 1967, with a degree in Business Administration. While at Butler, he certainly didn’t win any academic accolades, but he thoroughly enjoyed the friendships he made while a teammate on the football team and as a very active member of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He was also ROTC and was subsequently stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL as a hospital administrator during the Vietnam War, 1967-1971. He always maintained he won the “lottery” and reverently remembered the many peers he lost during the Conflict.
After his military service, Larry began working for Country Companies as an insurance agent in 1972. Over his 34 year career, he enjoyed the many lifelong friendships he made with his clients all over central Illinois. Until his death, he met several of them regularly for coffee and enjoyed his daily walks at the RePlex in Le Roy.
Owing to his enthusiasm for nature, Larry chose to settle and raise his family in Le Roy. He was an avid outdoorsman: hunting deer, upland game, and ducks, and freshwater fishing, specifically for bluegill and large and small mouth bass. His zeal for the outdoors extended to his philanthropic efforts, particularly Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.
The greatest gifts he gave his children were his love for the outdoors, love of our great country, and introducing them to Butler University. Both Janeen and Andrew followed in his footsteps: as graduates of Butler University, sharing his business acumen, and a passion for the outdoors. Through his actions, he encouraged them to be servant leaders, either through time, talent, or treasure.
Finally, Larry always maintained he was not a carpenter, but was especially handy at fixing things. He had an affinity for cars, baseball, dogs, reducing waste and recycling, and always grew an abundant garden.
Larry was an active and dedicated member of St. Mary Church in Downs, IL for 39 years. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Le Roy Ambulance Service, which supported Larry many times; Butler University; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as Larry lived with Type I diabetes for 34 years of his life; or Ducks Unlimited.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 9, 2019, at St. Mary Church in Downs, Illinois, with Father Dustin Schultz officiating. Military rites will be accorded after mass at the church. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the church. A reception to follow mass at the church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry's life.
Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Le Roy, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.
