Lawrence Muse Jr.

MUSE, Lawrence Robinson Jr. "Larry," of Glen Allen, Va., formerly of Urbanna, Va. Through God's merciful grace he completed his joy-filled life and embarked on his final sentimental journey home on April 21, 2011 at the age of 83. He was born April 27, 1927 in Saluda, Va., and claimed his promise of resurrection and everlasting life, joining his family members who preceded him in death; his parents, Lawrence R. Muse Sr. and Mary Susie (Robins) Davis Muse; four sisters, Charlotte Banks (Muse) Powell, Thelma (Davis) Mooney, Gladys (Davis) Minotto and Fannie (Davis) Holder; four brothers, Preston, Frank, William and Bernard Davis. Larry is survived by the love of his life, Mary Ann, his wife of 60 years; his daughters, Dr. Marcia D. Muse and her husband, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Joseph N. Cupurdija of Mechanicsville, Va., Laurie Muse Shelby and her husband, Joseph W. Shelby of Glen Allen, Va.; and his son, Lawrence David Muse and his wife, Maureen Love Muse, of Almont, Colo. He was "Poppy" to his two grandsons, Thomas Muse Wildberger and Marshall Muse Wildberger; and "Peep" to his two granddaughters, Morgan Muse Shelby and Lauren Muse Shelby. He also leaves nieces and nephews who meant so much to him, as well as his church family at Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition, he leaves a very special caregiver and nurse, Robin. Our family joins in saying "thank you" to her. Larry enlisted in the Navy in August 1944. He was 17 years old. After boot camp, he was assigned to Casu 33 Carrier Aircraft Unit in Los Alamitos, Calif., and served aboard the USS HANCOCK CV 19 air craft carrier in the Pacific Theatre. He and his four brothers served their country proudly at the same time during WW II. After his honorable discharge, he met his future bride. He and Mary Ann were married in 1950. He worked as a plumber with Kane Plumbing Co. He chose plumbing because his brother, Frank, was in the plumbing business and he looked up to his brother. After gaining experience and confidence, he went into business for himself--just him and his wife. Gradually, he added more employees. Lawrence R. Muse Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning Corp. was successful for 45 years in the central Virginia region. Not only did he work with various builders but he also secured the plumbing contract for the Virginia State Fairgrounds and the Richmond International Raceway. Retirement in 1997 to his home in Urbanna, Va., on the Rappahannock River came at age 70. He was a self-made man and enjoyed every aspect of his successful business. He was very proud when his son, David, decided after graduation from Virginia Tech to go into the plumbing business. His greatest joy was seeing his children become successful in their chosen fields -education, plumbing and corporate business. As a young man, Larry was active in the West End Jaycees. He was an active member, past President and Secretary of the Virginia Association Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors; longstanding member of the Richmond Navy League; lifetime member of the USS Hancock Association, and charter member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Captain William Latane Camp #1690. He was proud that his grandfather, Richard James Muse, served with the 55th Virginia Infantry and as a Courier to General A. P. Hill during the Civil War. Larry was confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in 1959 and remained a loyal and faithful member within all of us. A memorial service to celebrate Larry's life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Henrico, Va. 23229, on May 1, 2011 at 3 p.m. His family will receive friends at the church at 2 p.m. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations in Larry's memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.