John J. Larew Sr.

John J. Larew Sr.

John J. Larew Sr., 86, long term Waynesboro resident, died Saturday, September 27, 2008, at his home at Summit Square.

He was born December 14, 1921, in Mocksville, North Carolina, to John J. Larew and Mary Sanford Larew, who preceded him in death.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle D. Larew, whom he married March 21, 1947, in Schenectady, New York, and who died in 1990.

Survivors include three sons and a daughter, John J. Larew Jr. and his wife, Janice, of Troutman, North Carolina, and their son, John Brantley Larew of Cornelius, North Carolina; David L. Larew and his wife, Sandra, and their son, Joshua Larew, and their daughter Rachel and son-in-law, Chad Brown, of Orlando, Florida; Mary L. Smith, her husband Robert and son Robin, of Grifton, North Carolina; and Hugh S. Larew of Staunton, Virginia, and his sons, John Jacob III of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, and Edward Lee of Newport News, Virginia; two brothers, Hugh S. and R. Frank Larew of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A warm family relationship was nourished by an annual family gathering, usually in the Myrtle Beach area, beginning 28 years ago, and continuing through this year.

John graduated from Georgia Tech in 1943, and worked for GE for 36 years, mostly as an engineering manager. He began in the RandD Center, Schenectady, and moved to Waynesboro with the Specialty Control Department in 1955. He earned 15 patents and was one of four people originally chosen to develop the revolutionary Terminet Printer which later was the core of the Genicom Co.

John and Gayle were charter members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, built their home across the street from the church, and were active in many facets of the church's life. John's main interest, aside from work, was in the work of Westminster and ecumenical Christian activities in the city. He was an elder, taught Sunday School, led youth groups, and locked the church nightly for 33 years. He and Gayle were especially active in sponsoring two of the three Cuban and Vietnamese refugee families. He Chaired the Salvation Army Advisory Board, served as Treasurer of Weekday Religious Education, was first Chairman of Christians United for Service, and was finance chair for the 80 church Festival of Faith at Expo. He also served on the Waynesboro Commission for the Elderly and the Adult Day Care Center Board.

In 1989, he was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. At the request of University of Virginia Medical Center, in 1992, he led the startup of a prostate cancer support group known as US TOO of the Valley, and later Man to Man of the Valley when it was affiliated with the American Cancer Society. He personally met with about 100 men in their hour of anxiety when first diagnosed, and felt this was probably the most significant activity in his life. In time, his chief activity was writing a monthly newsletter containing information from reliable sources on prostate cancer, which was mailed to about 200 members of the group. After 19 years he succumbed to a virulent form of this cancer, as well as heart failure.

Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2008, after which the family will receive friends at the church.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge, 9302 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA, 23601, or to Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Family and friends may sign the quest register at mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.

McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.