Larry Edward Gragg, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025 surrounded by his loving family in the comfort of his home.

Larry was born on December 22, 1939, to Carl and Gladys Gragg in Shelby, North Carolina. Larry attended Waco High School, graduating in 1958 and from there, attended Nashville Auto Diesel School until 1959. After completing his time in Nashville, and with a strong desire to serve his country, Larry enlisted in the United States Army. During his service, Larry became a rifle sharpshooter and proud member of the 101st Airborne Division stationed along the DMZ in Korea as a peacekeeper following the Korean War. After three years of deployment, Larry returned to his beloved Cleveland County in May 1962, earning the Good Conduct Medal for his honorable and faithful service.
After returning home, Larry took a position at Royster Transport for one year before joining Fiber Industries where he worked until his retirement in December 1998.

Larry was a charter member of the #7 Fire Department in Lattimore as well as a charter member of the mobile hospital team for North Carolina Baptist Men. He also served many years as a Deacon of Double Springs Baptist Church. From 1976 until 1992, Larry volunteered as a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 113 in Lattimore, eventually becoming Scout Master, helping many young men achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout, including his three sons. Traveling with his wife and friends brought him great joy and lasting memories, many shared with friends from abroad as a member of the Friendship Force for more than thirty years.

Larry was loving, humble, and, most of all, a kind and gentle soul. He took great pride in his family and was an ever steady presence in the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. A man with a quiet smile, he didn't need a lot of words, his actions spoke volumes. He was a man of great character who valued God, honesty, hard work, and integrity above all else. Believing a man could be judged by his handshake, his was strong and impressive, and you knew just by his touch that he was a man of his word. Larry had a special ability to connect and find common ground with anyone, of any walk in life, and brought great joy to all those around him. His smile and jokes could light up a room, and he was always ready to join in fun and games with his grandchildren, whether that was climbing a tree, playing hide and seek, or just getting dirty in the backyard.

In addition to his parents, Larry is preceded in death by his sister Brenda Fitch. Larry leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Ellen Washburn Gragg. Also left to cherish his memory are his three sons, Kelly Gragg and his wife, Wendi, of Lattimore, Lee Gragg and his wife, Kim, of Morganton, and Jeff Gragg and his wife, Lea, of Lattimore. Also surviving are eight grandchildren that he adored, Lucy Doughty (Clay) of Richmond, Virginia, Jane Teddy (Brennan) of Anderson, South Carolina, Jacob Gragg (Mary) of Lattimore, Kate Gragg (Logan) of
Pageland, South Carolina, Joe Gragg of Lattimore, Troy Gragg, Ella Gragg, and Izora Gragg of Morganton, as well as one great grandson, William Doughty, and his brother, Gary Gragg (Jane), of Shelby.

The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center of Double Springs Baptist Church from 12 until 1:30 pm on Friday, January 31. A celebration of life will follow in the church sanctuary at 2 pm. The burial with full military honors will immediately follow in the church cemetery. Officiating the service will be Reverend Dale Byrd, Reverend Bill Fryar, and Reverend Ron Arndt.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Larry's fondest organizations, the Shelby Life Enrichment Center or Double Springs Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Gragg Family.