Dr. Lawrence Carlton "Larry" O'Steen

1933 - 2019

Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Carlton O'Steen

Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Carlton O'Steen, 86, died peacefully at home on December 6, 2019. He was born on August 27, 1933 in West Palm Beach, Florida and was the middle child of Thomas Carlton and Ruth Hargreaves O'Steen. He was raised in Florida in several cities that his Father served as a Methodist Minister -Miami, West Palm Beach, Alachua, Stuart, St. Augustine, Daytona, Hollywood, Live Oak and Madison. He graduated from Madison High School in 1951 where he met his future wife Margaret (Cantey) O'Steen. He was a gifted athlete and attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship, graduating in 1955. He attended Emory University from 1955-1958 and graduated from the Candler School of Theology. He later received his Doctorate from Emory University 1976.

Larry served as a Methodist Minister in the Florida Conference for 28 years. During that tenure he served Methodist churches in Jacksonville, Orlando, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart, Gainesville and Plantation. He retired from the Methodist Church in 1984 and eventually was appointed as Tax Collector (irony noted) to Martin County by Governor Bob Graham. He fulfilled a second professional career for 23 years as Martin County Tax Collector until he declined to run again in 2008. While in Martin County he also co-created the Martin County Council for the Arts, served on the Atlantic Coastal Orchestra Board, Chaired the Martin County Arts Festival and served on the Council on Aging.

The friends and co-workers that he met through his professional careers were important in his life and always present in his memory. They remain as his extended family.

After retirement, he remained in Stuart until relocating to Tallahassee in late 2017. He and Margaret (Muffy) came to Tallahassee to enjoy their family and latter retirement years at their home in Betton Hills.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Thomas and Ruth O'Steen, his older sister Mabel Serena O'Steen King, his younger brother William Bartow O'Steen and his grandson Kirkland Cantey O'Steen. He is survived by his wife- Margaret Cantey O'Steen, his son Thomas Clyde O'Steen, his grandsons Thomas Summers O'Steen and Drayton William O'Steen and several nieces and nephews.

Upon his move from Orlando in 1974, his many friends provided a gift that was engraved with the sentiment - "He calls us to the Courageous Yes! ". It memorialized his belief that Christian life should be a positive, happy choice - lived with total love, with studied and informed belief, and without hate or discrimination. He inspired many, he was loved dearly, and he will be missed.

The family wishes to thank Big Bend Hospice and Right-at-Home Senior Care for their many kindnesses and support. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations to the Big Bend Hospice, Leon County Humane Society or Trinity United Methodist Church are appreciated. A January memorial service will be held in Tallahassee.