Laurence Craven Pettit Jr.

1936 - 2024

Laurence Craven Pettit, Jr

December 6, 1936 - September 8, 2024

Laurence Craven Pettit, Jr. (Larry) departed this world on Sunday, the 8th of September 2024, after a brief illness. He was born December 6th, 1936, in Front Royal, VA to Laurence and Virginia Corder Pettit. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna Katherine "Kitty" Robinson Pettit; his children, Lauren Corder Pettit Harper (Allen) and Laurence C. Pettit, III (Susan); four grandchildren, Taylor Harper (Andrea), Witt Harper (Rebecca), Madeline Pettit-Jackson (Merric) and Alicia Katherine Pettit. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren; a special sister-in-law, Cindy Parker; and four nephews.

Larry was a member of the 1955 of Warren County High School graduating class. He received a B.S. and M.S. from Virginia Tech. He began his professional career in Louisiana, where he served on the faculty of the University of Southwestern Louisiana. In 1966, the University of Virginia's Colgate Darden Graduate Business School recruited him, where he earned his Doctorate. The last 40 years of his career were spent on the faculty of the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce. Larry taught corporate finance and established the GDP case method of teaching which helped the McIntire School achieve national prominence. He also launched the accredited International Finance and Banking class. Larry loved teaching and took much pride in his students' accomplishments. He retired as Professor Emeritus of the McIntire School, where he had an enormous positive impact on generations of students. He was also a member of the Raven Society.

In addition to his teaching career, Larry started the AICPA National Banking School, led the commercial lending continuing education program for the Virginia Bankers Association, and was a commercial lending training consultant for the Bank of America and Crestar Banks. He also served as a consultant to small businesses and community banks.

Larry was a lifelong Presbyterian and an ordained elder at Meadows Presbyterian Church. He supported his community and many local charities. He loved UVA athletics and spent a lot his Saturdays in Scott Stadium. He was an avid reader. After his retirement from U. Va, Larry and Kitty spent many days hosting family and friends on their back deck, overlooking their lovely yard. Larry continued what he had started forty years earlier in Commerce school, counseling and comforting others.

Larry's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the kind and compassionate caretakers and doctors who assisted him and guided us over the past few months.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, the 19th of October, at 11 a.m. at Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2200 Angus Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901. The family requests donations in Larry's honor be made to Book Baskets, a local charity that provides books to children. Their address is 105 Whetstone Place, Charlottesville, VA 22901.