Larry Howard Archer

Larry Howard Archer, 75, passed away in the early morning of March 5, 2026, and is now at restful peace with our Lord. Larry was born on March 13, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Banks High School, he went on to graduate from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management followed by the completion of a course in Bank Management at the Tennessee Bankers Association School of Banking in Nashville, Tennessee. Larry was a seasoned banking executive with over 44 years of experience in leadership roles including Area President for Bank Independent over Franklin and Lawrence counties. He routinely enjoyed taking time to help his customers with their specific banking needs. At the beginning of his banking career, Carlyle Cook, the City President at Central Bank in Fort Payne, taught him the integral value of economic development and its positive impact to improve the community and help it to grow over time.

Through the years, Larry also engaged in economic development in Opelika, Oneonta, and Russellville where he served for many years as the Chairman of the local Industrial Development Board. He was extremely civic-minded and enjoyed being a member of the Jaycees and Lion's Club in Fort Payne and Rotary Clubs of Opelika, Oneonta, and Russellville where he chose to serve as Club President on several occasions. In 1997, Leadership Lee County chose to honor Larry with an award thanks to the value of his banking expertise, personalized guidance, and thoughtful insight in helping to steer the way for Lee County's future economic development projects.

After retiring from banking, Larry and his wife, Kathy, moved to Priceville to be closer to their son, Tommy, in Huntsville. Larry loved working in their yard, caring for his roses, and his all-time favorite activity, walking his little black dog, Forest. The pair was often seen several times a day walking the neighborhood and visiting with the neighbors.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, William Howard Archer and Rosa Lee Hurst Archer and sisters, Sandra Archer Cummings and Judy Archer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Katherine Jones Archer, his son, Thomas Archer, and sister, Joan Archer Cole.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis (one of Larry's favorite charities), the Alzheimer's Association, or Decatur First United Methodist Church.