John Peel

It was with great sadness laced with fond memories when I came upon the announcement of Larry’s passing more than a year after it occurred. I knew Larry and Debbie Peel for only a fleeting moment when I began my career in Austin from 1985-1989. Larry and I shared a great passion for wine, which was how I came to know him and become a member of his wine tasting group. But I came to understand that Larry was such an incredible force because he was truly passionate about everything he did. To...

I worked for Larry managing one of his beautiful communities. So many wonderful memories of him, I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to know him. May his memory be a blessing.

I was saddened to read that Larry Peel had passed away.

I met him over 35 years ago, when I first moved to Austin. He became my first landlord when I found an apartment at what was then called Indian Creek. When I saw the top floor apartment, overlooking a small pond and with a bit of a view down to the University of Texas Tower, I instantly realized that it might be the prettiest apartment that I would ever live in.

Very shortly after I moved in, I met him as we both walked...

Larry was bigger than life, and with Deborah, a force. Together they made Austin better.

Ah, the water volleyball games we shared in the 1970s. Larry was a great competitor and, yes, he did somehow always manage to end up on the winning team, just as he did with his life. Life moved on and I lost touch when I was married and moved to my first house. Seeing his name last year on the beautiful new Walnut Park Apartments (one could tell they were a Peel project just by looking) behind where my office is, I dropped him an email and he said let's get some of the old gang together...

I had the pleasure and HONOR of being in Larry's wine group! Drinking wine with him was always a pleasure and a fun time! He had such a wonderful sense of humor! Throughout the night he would tell a joke, (sometimes not on purpose it would just work out that way), or say something that was just hilarious! Once I started laughing he would laugh and say other funny things. Sometimes only he and I got the "joke"- which was ok. People would say to me, "Don't encourage him!" Funny! I could...

I will miss you - a very kind friend and neighbor.

We have had the honor and pleasure to work with Larry and Deborah for 40 years as their interiorplantscapers.Between the residence,projects,and the office we had the birds eye view.The comments of others ring true for us as well,if you have worked for Peel then you are hired! What a life!One helluva ride,THANKS GROWING FOR IT!