Larry Wayne "Snake" Fesperman

1939 - 2025

Larry “Snake” Wayne Fesperman, 85, of Denver, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at his home in Denver, NC, where Snake lived for 4 years, but would always call Rockwell his home.

He was born June 18, 1939 in Rowan County, NC to the late Hoke Fesperman and Mamie Corl Fesperman.

Larry grew up delivering the daily paper in Rockwell, where he was first nicknamed “Snake” after wiggling underneath the fence to deliver the papers. He graduated Rockwell High School in 1957, after which he enrolled in the U.S. Army for 2 years and was stationed in Stutgart, Germany.

After service, he married his high school sweetheart Betty Wagoner, who he had always called “his bride” while in school. Shortly after, he continued his career with the Salisbury Post by joining the Advertising Department, where we was employed 40+ years before retiring in 2001 when his first grandchild was born, what he said was the best retirement gift.

Snake and Betty were lifetime members of St. James Lutheran Church. He was often seen mowing the church grounds and cemetery, along with many neighbors' yards, one of his favorite activities after retirement. He also greatly enjoyed wood-fired grilling, often with friends and family cooking chickens, turkeys, and boston butts, particularly for community fundraisers.

Snake had a love for animals, always keeping dogs and cats. At different times, he cared for donkeys, goats, chickens, bunnies, and even a pony that he got as a gift to his daughter Lisa. As an example of how much his animals loved him, he once gave his dog to a nephew who had more land in the country to roam. By the time his red truck pulled away, the dog was on his way back to Snake's work in Salisbury and showed up under his truck the next day; Snake told his buddy he would never leave him again.

Snake also loved kids, often referred to as the “Quarter Man” throughout Rockwell for keeping quarters in his pockets to hand out to kids whenever he saw them. He was very passionate about his community in general, actively involved in the Rowan Shrine Club, Lion's Club, and the Amvets. He received his 50-year pin from the Rockwell Masonic Lodge this past year, one of his proudest accomplishments.

He was also a private pilot and enjoyed flying. He would often take trips to the coast of Ocean Isle and go deep sea fishing. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and close friends. He had never met a stranger, and loved to tell jokes, often laughing the hardest of anyone while telling them. He was so proud of his daughter Lisa Rose and his two granddaughters Allison and Madison and loved his son-in-law Tony as his own son.

Snake and Betty were always present for every dance recital, school ceremony, or annual Easter camping trip at Dan Nicholas Park, driving the girls around in the back of the truck to the park's Easter Egg hunt. Snake truly lived life to the fullest in every capacity. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend, and was loved by everyone who knew him.

In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his Wife, Betty Wagoner Fesperman, whom he married October 14, 1962, his two brothers Hubert Fesperman and Jones “Eli” Fesperman, and his four sisters Mildred “Bill” Carter, Mary “Kat” Gosney, Edith “Sissie” Duncan, and Shirley Cline.

Larry is survived by his daughter, Lisa File, and husband Tony of Denver, NC; two granddaughters, Allison Brooke File and Madison Michelle File

The family will greet friends and relatives on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at St. James Lutheran Church in Rockwell, with the service to immediately follow at 2:00 pm, with Pastor Craig Sigmon and Pastor Thomas Johnston officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the church facebook page. Military Graveside and Masonic Rites will take place at the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church and Shriners Children's Hospital.

Powles Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, is assisting the Fesperman family. Online condolences may be made at powlesfuneralhome.com.