It is with heavy hearts that we share that Dr. Lawrence Allen Heavrin joined his wife and parents in heaven on 11/21/2024. Larry was born in Hecla, South Dakota on October 1, 1931 and moved to Dunlap, Illinois when he was 6 years old. As a teenager, Larry loved sports and played on the Dunlap high school football, basketball, and football teams. He went to Normal University for 1 year, but then joined the Navy during the Korean conflict. Larry was stationed for a while in Charleston, SC, and he attended the Methodist church while there.
During a church retreat one summer, Larry met his future wife Alice, at Camp Junaluska, and their relationship blossomed. They were married on June 22nd, 1954. After the Navy, Larry continued his education and went on to become a Medical Doctor in Family Practice. Larry and Alice lived in multiple cities, including Charleston, SC; Hickory, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; Galax, VA; and Normal, Illinois. They also lived in Alaska for two years, which became the background to many stories they shared over the years.
Larry and Alice were blessed with the coming of their son, Allen, in 1965 and their daughter, Laura in 1969. They finally settled in Spartanburg, SC in 1970, where Larry remained in private practice until 1994. He loved his practice and his patients, and he provided care and support for so many people.
Larry and Alice shared a love of travel, which included an around the world tour in 1961 starting in Alaska. Larry and Alice continued to enjoy their world travels throughout their marriage. Later in life, after Larry closed his medical practice, Alice and Larry continued their world travels by moving to Germany for 11 months, while Larry worked as a Doctor for Army dependents and retired military people. They thoroughly enjoyed their many adventures while traveling the world.
While living in Spartanburg, Larry and Alice joined Central United Methodist Church, where they both were proud members of the choir. Larry continued serving in the choir for 50 years until his 90th birthday in 2021. The Methodist Church has given so much joy and support to Larry and Alice for many years.
Larry found joy and fulfillment as a Boy Scout leader, joining and holding multiple leadership roles in Sertoma, and volunteering for medical mission trips to Haiti and Honduras. He found personal enjoyment from learning to ballroom dance with Alice, playing chess, learning to sail and scuba dive, and watching many sporting events in-person and on TV.
Many might say that Larry was a quiet man; however, when he spoke, he had something meaningful to say, which was often quite witty. Larry was a devoted husband of 66 years to Alice and a dedicated father to his children Allen and Laura, who referred to Larry as “Dee”. Most of Allen and Laura’s friends only know Larry as “Dee”. Within the past 4 years, Larry has gained popularity as the star of “Adventures with Dee” on Facebook, where Dee has continued to live his best life exploring new places.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be scheduled at a future time to ensure that both of Larry’s children are able to attend the service. In lieu of flowers or meals, please send any memorials to Central United Methodist Church in Spartanburg to allow for their ongoing support of the community.
