CARVER
Larry Carver, a one-of-a-kind, good man, said goodbye to life, to family, and to friends on September 11, 2022. He was known to others as one who met life head on and who loved life. Having been born legally blind, he was taught by his loving and remarkable parents to live life just the way a sighted person would.
As a young man, Larry would pick and shuck corn, and then sell it. His father tended to a local golf course, and Larry could often be found right along side him, helping. Larry could be found assisting family and friends by evicting unwanted critters such as squirrels, raccoons, and snakes.
On any given day, you would see him riding his bicycle down the road, a “Flash”, as he was known to some, on his way down Caldwell hill with his cousin or to work.
Larry played the guitar and drums in a band.
As a young man, Larry could be found taking the lead in organizing and leading the local CB Club and group helping those in need. Larry helped those he never met personally, without ever telling.
He was a confident and self-assured man, who consistently turned attention away from himself and allowed others to shine, as he enjoyed their journey as a friend.
Larry was an answer to prayers for his wife: that she could find a man who would love her children, be a good mentor for them, and take them all on as a family package. He chose to take on three strong willed girls with unconditional and relentless love and raised them as his own. They have always been first in his life, his to love, guide, joke with, and to let them know he was “all knowing” and was always right, and the feeling was mutual. “God blessed our family with Larry as surely as He’s ever blessed anyone. I’ve thanked God for him many times.”
Larry was the father he didn’t have to be: encouraging, listening, protecting, praying, laughing, and loving. Larry had the ability to make you feel like the most special person in the world.
He enjoyed cooking for his family and was famous for his homemade pizza.
He didn’t mind holding his wife’s purse or daughter’s pink unicorn while standing on a street corner.
When the grandbabies and then great-grandbabies came along, you could find Larry holding, with pride, those little bundles of joy. He had fun sharing his vast knowledge but more importantly, kid jokes with them.
Larry told stories about his life in the area where he was born, such as Grapevine and neighboring Frog Alley in Boone County, WV, recalling the fire department consisted of a pickup truck driving down the hollow with men jumping in the back as it drove by.
Going to school involved crawling around on and often under coal train cars, as they lay waiting to be filled with coal, and then walking over a creek bridge built by his father.
Many complained that you just could not win an argument with Larry. His wife said the secret was that he never took on a debate unless he positively knew he was right, and his almost perfect memory was able to provide him with that assurance. It was a thing to marvel over, with the facts he could pull up, whether it was on politics, world happenings, domestic American happenings, or things of home life.
His wife says that she always appreciated that strong willed attitude that has allowed him to move from being just another “blind” into being the man who has experienced life to the best of his ability. He met life head on, and that attitude kept him going. It also allowed him to have his dream career.
After graduating from Greenbrier East High School in 1969, WV Rehabilitation Services insisted he learn piano tuning. Larry refused and set off on his own journey to make his dream come true.
Over the years, he has received at least two “Employee of the Year” recognition awards from WV Rehab. He defied the odds, using education and perseverance. He was always behind the scenes, making sure everything ran perfectly. On retirement, he had 44 years total, beginning as a DJ, then moving up to Chief Engineer.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Alice Carver; sister, Maryann Lee; and a brother, Merle Wilson Carver.
Survivors include his loving wife, Carolyn Carver; daughters, Tina Rene’ Creech Weikel (James) of Orlando, FL, Jennifer Lea Creech Gilkerson (Kent) of Alderson, WV, and Christina Creech Jarrell (Roy) of Lewisburg, WV; brother, Doug Carver of Lewisburg, WV; grandchildren, John Glen Wood Jr., Kimberly Rene’ Wood, Jason Taylor Wood, Chandlar Ross Piner, Colby Joseph Piner, Luther Benjamin Wright Jr., Myra Ann Jarrell, and Mason Carl Jarrell; great-grandchildren, Kirk Anthony Dean, Heather Dean, and Solomon Wood; several nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to count.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sams for all the sincere care provided all these years and to Greenbrier County Ambulance and crew for their kindness in the last few weeks of his life.
Funeral service will be 12 Noon, Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the Morgan Funeral Home Chapel, Lewisburg, WV. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service in the Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg, WV.
Online guestbook can be signed at www.morganfh.net.
Arrangements by Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV.
