Larry D Guest

Larry David Guest, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Saturday December 10, 2022 due to Cancer.   Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Larry managed his illness with strength and grace, and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible.  On his final day, he was surrounded by his loving wife whom he adored more than words can express, and close family that he loved with his whole heart.

One of seven, Larry was born in Brunswick Georgia to the late Melvin “Valco” Guest Sr. & Helen “Leona” Ferguson Guest.  He graduated from Athens High School July 1966. After serving in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army as a Medical Corpsman that resulted in Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Expert (Rifle) he retired from active duty in 1972.  Upon serving his country he went to work for Belk Department Store where he worked his way up from a shoe salesman to store manager all while attending the University of Georgia which he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1977.  While with Belk, Larry moved to Griffin GA, then to Kentucky where he opened several new Belk Stores throughout surrounding states.  In the late 1980’s Larry moved back to Athens GA. and took on a new challenge where he went to work for a poultry company, Seaboard Farms as Sales Manager.  Always looking for an adventure he started the Shoe Revue, a women’s shoe store that he ran in addition to heavy travel with Seaboard.  He opened two stores in Athens, one in Fayetteville, and one in Lawrenceville from 1983 – 1988.  In 1991 he was recruited by Harrison Poultry in Bethlehem GA as Sales Manager finally retiring in 2017 as VP of Sales and Marketing.

Over the years, he has served on many community service boards, volunteer coach for his son’s baseballs teams, member of the Jaycees, various poultry committees, holds the highest civilian honor the Governor of the State of Commonwealth of Kentucky can bestow:  The Title of Kentucky Colonel, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.  However, the most rewarding of these was the work he did with “Love A Child” a non-profit Christian humanitarian organization, serving the needs of children in Haiti.  He was part of the team that provided 14 containers of fully cooked canned chicken, has supported the building of a new school for Love A Child, and would make several trips to Haiti to track the success of the school and to visit with the children.  He’s been known to donate to youth sports teams for uniforms and equipment and mission trips for students.  He loved to pick up the tabs for people’s dinners without them ever knowing who did it, especially if they were a serviceman, and anonymously donated prosthetic legs to two families for the different stages that their child would need to grow with.  As you can tell, Larry always had a big heart especially where the success of a child was involved.

In 2003 Larry married On, the love of his life, someone that could finally keep up with his passion for always taking on a new project.  Together they started the Thompson House and Gardens in Bogart, GA. 9 Oaks Farm, and the 2425 Warehouse in Monroe, GA, beautiful and unique wedding and event venues.

His passion was to see the world and had traveled extensively throughout the years, domestically and internationally. He enjoyed snow and water skiing, boating, golf, concerts, the theater, supporting the Georgia Bulldogs from stadium to stadium, but most of all he loved doing for others, and spending time with his family and friends.

Funeral services are Tuesday December 13, 2022 2:00 PM at Lord & Stephens, West Chapel with Dr. Stewart Simms officiating. The family will visit at the funeral home from 1:00pm to service time. The interment will be in Winterville Cemetery.

Larry is survived by his wife On Guest, two granddaughters, Brittany Guest and Michaela (Logan) Burgess, brother, Jackson “Jay” (Sara) Guest, two sisters, Sherry Ruff and Vickey (Martin) Gregory, a father-figure to nieces Athena Florendo-Paul (Dean), Kim (Stu) McGarity, Christy (Wendell) Smith, nephew, Terry Crowther, Grandfather to great niece McKenzie Paul, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews that all adored him.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his two sons, David Shane Guest (53 years) and Michael Shannon Guest (18 years), his brother Melvin “MV” Guest Jr., sister, Betty Jean Crowther, and brother, Billy Joe Guest.

v A Celebration of Life Reception v

After the Graveside Service the family will host

a reception at the

Thompson House and Garden

1431 Atlanta Hwy

Bogart Ga 30622

Please join us here even if you can’t make the funeral service.  We would love to visit, and have you share memories you made with Larry.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, West, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com