LARRY GALLAHER FERRIS

1932 - 2017

LARRY GALLAHER FERRIS, 84, of Jacksonville, Fla., died at home April 5, 2017. Born August 26, 1932, to Drucilla Mae (Gallaher) and Paul Carlton Ferris, he spent his early years in Huntington, W.Va., and graduated from Huntington East High School in 1950. He was a veteran, having enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 along with his future brother-in-law, Robert Carter. He served four years and was variously stationed in Texas, Georgia, the Kingdom of Morocco and Ohio, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He and Peggy Ann Carter were married July 10, 1953, and spent 63 wonderful years together. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Marshall University and a graduate degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Chicago. He was Executive Director at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, W.Va., Executive Director at Memorial Hospital/Riverside Nursing Home, Waycross, Ga., and retired in 1999 after 19 years as Associate Director/Vice President Facilities and Construction at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla. His time after retirement was filled with activity, and he especially enjoyed hobby auto restoration and working in his beloved greenhouse and garden. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, children, Amanda (Andy) Anderson, Scott (Jeanne) Ferris, Brad (Diana) Ferris and Craig (Shelley) Ferris, four grandchildren, one step-grandchild, two step-great-grandchildren and his sister, Janice Carlton (Ferris) Hughes. In keeping with Larry's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Single Cause, Single Cure Foundation at www.singlecausesinglecure.org/donate or the Epigenix Foundation at www.epigenixfoundation.org/donations.