Larry Waites

Larry Waites, 76, of The Villages, Fla., was born March 8, 1939, in Forsyth, Ga. Larry enjoyed his life to the fullest and especially The Villages, where he was an avid golfer, club participant and active member of the church.
He loved being with family and friends. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was proud of that accomplishment.
Larry graduated from Auburn University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Auburn was special to him and he remained a loyal fan.
He retired in 2001 after a very accomplished career in manufacturing plant management.
He was a member of New Covenant United Methodist Church. A dedicated volunteer at Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, Fla., he was also a loyal sponsor of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and Dick; and his brother, Jerry, of Milner, Ga.
Larry is survived by his wife and best friend and the love of his life of 40 years, Sonja (Childers) Waites. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Trisha and Tim; his son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Antoinette; five grandchildren, Lindsay Beth Long, Caleb Long, Kaitlyn Waites, Paige Waites and Emma Waites; and a great-grandson, Nolan Harbin; also a sister, Dianne Golden of The Villages; his nephew and his wife, Trey and Amy Golden; and his uncle and aunt, Curtis and Louise Waites of Suwanee, Ga.
A celebration of life service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages.
The family requests that memorials be made to Give Kids the World in Kissimmee or to St. Jude, in memory of Larry Waites.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memory Gardens in Ocala, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.