Larry Dean Farrell

1942 - 2025

Larry Dean Farrell

July 8, 1942 - November 3, 2025

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Larry Dean Farrell of Greenville, N.C., and formerly of Danville, Va., died November 3,2025 at the age of 83. He died peacefully and with family singing hymns by his side.

Larry was born on July 8,1942 in Burlington, N.C., and was an honors graduate of Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University. He also graduated from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He retired from the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps after 23 years of service.

Following the military, Larry served as a prison chaplain and as an interim pastor of many churches around Boone, N.C., and Danville, Va., before moving to Greenville in 2018.

Larry was known for his strong Christian faith; his work ethic and organizational skills; a love for travel and running; and most of all, for his pride in and devotion to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood and Catherine Farrell, and by an infant brother, Michael David.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rosa Lynn Gruits Farrell, and by his six children and their spouses, Dean (Carmen Cuthbertson); Dan (David Bernal); Rachel Bethune (Alec); Cate Campbell (Jason); Sarah Gunn (Jason); and David (Ricky Champlain), and seven grandchildren, Ava, Colin, Max, Michael, Juliet, Sophia and Bryce.

The family would like to thank his caregivers and the staff of the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston, N.C., for their care and compassion during his final days.

A graveside service will be held at Zion Christian Church Cemetery in Sanford on Friday, November 7th at 2 p.m.

Arrangements by Smith Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenville, N.C. Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithfcs.com.