Larry Stevens Lightner

Dr. Larry S. Lightner passed away peacefully at his home in Dallas, Georgia on January 7, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born in Ashland, Ohio on February 18, 1943, as the second of three sons to Daniel and Jean (Shira) Lightner.

Larry graduated from Ashland High School, Ashland, Ohio, in 1961. After high school, he spent some time at Ashland College. In 1962 he met Donna Whitmore and after a short engagement, they married in February of 1963.

Larry began his career in the management development program with the S.S. Kresge Company and K-mart Corporation. He spent 21 years with K-mart managing several stores in Arizona, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New York. In 1987, he left K-mart after finishing his college degree in business administration. Shortly after, he began pursuing an opportunity in Christian ministry.
In 1991 he earned a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
(Memphis, Tennessee).

With a passion for Christian service, he spent the next decade pastoring churches in Niskayuna, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He also served the city missions in Schenectady, New York, and Strasburg, Pennsylvania. He was an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University.

In 2008, he retired from pastoring. He furthered his education by earning a doctoral degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014. He continued in service to the Lord through teaching and mentoring opportunities, bible studies, authoring two books, and maintaining a weekly devotional blog online.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna, and their four sons: Timothy of Anchorage, Alaska, Michael (Sonya) of Kennesaw, Georgia, Christopher (Sherry) of Ballston Lake, New York, and Mark (Amber) of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. They have been blessed with fourteen grandchildren. Larry is also survived by one brother, Stanley Lightner.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Lightner (1981).

Larry was a godly man that cared for his family, church, and community. He never missed an opportunity to encourage and bless others with the message of God’s love for them. His sense of humor and genuine love for others was infectious. He will be remembered and missed by many. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He rests in the care and love of his heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

The family will receive visitors at Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA (4373 Atlanta Hwy, Hiram, GA 30141) on Thursday, January 11, at 11:00 AM. A service will follow at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (www.mabts.edu/give) in honor of Dr. Larry S. Lightner.