Larry L. Lair departed this life while at home in El Paso, Texas on September 12, 2013, after a 15 month battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 62 years young. Larry is survived by Nancy his devoted wife of 39 years, his daughter, Sanaan and her husband Carlos Villalobos, and his daughter Shalayna and her husband Marcos Smith, all of El Paso, Texas.
Larry was born on August 30, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa to Doris and Herschel Lair. He is survived by his mother Doris; his younger brother Lonnie and wife Jeanette, nephews Sean and Nathan Lair; and his older sister Laura and husband Chuck Nelson, niece Jennifer Ewers, all of Des Moines and nephew Ryan Ewers and wife Rhoda of Aurora, Colorado. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law Edward and Norma Crozier and brother-in-law Ed Crozier all of Cedar Park, Texas. He is preceded in death by his father and hero Herschel and his maternal grandparents, Henry and Katie Klooster.
Larry graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines in 1969 and went on to college and into the construction business. It was in 1973 that he met the love of his life, Nancy Crozier. They married on June 1st of the following year and celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary this year. They were inseparable to the end.
After high school and several years of college, Larry opened and operated his concrete construction business until 1981, when he returned to school to complete his education at Drake University. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was recruited by 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. On June 1st, 1983, he began work as an accountant with 3M.
His career at 3M took him to Austin, Texas where the family resided until 1991, at which time they moved to El Paso, Texas. Larry became the Operations Manager of the 3M subsidiary and its maquiladora in Juarez, Mexico. In 1999, Larry and Nancy moved to Brownwood, Texas where Larry was the Plant Manager of the 3M manufacturing facility. In 2001, Larry’s job took him back to St. Paul where he eventually became the Vice President of Traffic Safety Systems Division and then went on to finish his career as the President and General Manager of 3M ESPE, the company’s dental division. His career with 3M spanned 30 years but was cut short by the progression of ALS and he was forced to leave behind many good friends, colleagues and business associates who will never forget his direct and moral approach to business, his boundless energy and his innate business knowledge.
Larry loved working hard, but his greatest pride was his family. He was dedicated to his two daughters and always did what he could to pave the way to their success. He loved to travel and he and Nancy were fortunate to be able to travel the world over. He was an avid reader and enjoyed writing up to the end of his life, but his greatest hobby was his love of running. He enjoyed the solitude of running alone or accompanied by his running partner in life, Nancy.
Larry was a wonderful husband and father and an extremely talented and knowledgeable businessman. He was truly a self-made man. He was professionally respected by those he worked beside over the years and personally loved by his family and friends. Larry will be forever missed by his beloved wife and daughters, but his memory will live on in his entire family, as well as those who had the opportunity to know him as a friend and colleague.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. at Martin Funeral Home West, in El Paso, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ALS Foundation Larry Lair Tribute Fund (http://webmn.alsa.org/goto/Lair_Tribute). Family, friends and colleagues may sign the guest book and pay tribute online at www.dignitymemorial.com or the ALS Larry Lair Tribute Fund website. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com
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