Lawrence Henry Pateros

09/29/1949 - 09/20/2025

Lawrence Henry Pateros, known to everyone as Larry, LP, or affectionately as "My Pal Larry," passed away peacefully at home in McLean, VA on September 20, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 29, 1949, Larry was the beloved son of the late John J. and Margaret J. (Stewart) Pateros.

Larry is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Kathryn Warner Pateros. Larry and Kathy met at 14 and 16 years old, and together built an extraordinary life filled with love, family, and adventure. He is also survived by his daughters Stephanie Goodman of Morristown, VT, and Melanie Funkhouser of Bethesda, MD; his sons-in-law Mark Goodman and Cory Funkhouser; and his grandsons Roman and Quentin Funkhouser, who brought him endless joy and pride. He is also survived by his siblings John Pateros, Mertie Pateros, Doris VanSickle, and Charles "Chuck" Pateros, and was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jo Pateros. Extended family includes his sister-in-law Barbara Zapp (Warner), seven nieces and nephews, and six grand-nieces and nephews who were all dear to him.

Larry loved vacationing with his extended family and sharing special places with them. One of his favorite places was his beloved Rehoboth Beach, DE, where he and Kathy owned a home since the early 1980s. He was a fixture on the boards of both Patrician Towers and Edgewater House Condominium Associations, and he delighted in dining in town and biking Gordon's Pond and the Breakwater Trail. In recent years, he also enjoyed time at their new home in Bethany Beach, DE.

Larry grew up in Kensington, MD and attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and St. John's College High School. He entered the automobile business soon after high school and quickly rose to management. At just 31, he founded Fair Oaks Dodge in Fairfax City, VA, later establishing Pateros Mazda in Leesburg and Fair Oaks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Chantilly. For more than four decades, Larry built businesses rooted in customer service and integrity, mentoring countless employees and treating staff like family.

He was a proud member of the automobile dealer community, a long-time member of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Washington Area New Automobile Dealer Association (WANADA), where he served on the Board of Directors. He also served as President of the local Dodge Dealers Advertising Association and as a member of the National Dodge Dealer Council.

He raised his family in Darnestown, MD before moving to McLean, VA, where he lived for the last 21 years. Beyond business, Larry gave back generously to education and community. He served as President of the Board of Directors at The Woods Academy in Bethesda, MD during a pivotal time in its growth and continued supporting the school throughout his life. He was a staunch supporter of St. John's College High School (DC), and with a smile, a reluctant supporter of Gonzaga College High School, and a generous contributor to the Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Larry will be remembered for his huge heart, devotion to family and friends, and love of adventure. He was a constant presence at his grandsons' sporting events, a master trip planner who created unforgettable family journeys, and a man who cherished antique cars and convertibles, most recently enjoying his custom-built white Dodge Challenger Hellcat Convertible. Known for his warmth, generosity, and thoughtfulness, Larry never forgot a birthday and made every person he knew feel valued.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kelly Lafaro, Dr. Michael Pishvaian, Dr. Amol Narang, and the teams at Johns Hopkins Medical Center who cared for Larry over the last five years with compassion, dedication, and expertise.

Arrangements are as follows: • Visitation: Tuesday, September 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Joseph Gawler's Sons Funeral Home, Washington, DC • Funeral Mass: Wednesday, October 1 at 11 a.m. at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Washington, DC, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD; Mass will be streamed on The Blessed Sacrament Washington, DC Youtube page.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Washington in Larry's memory.

Larry's legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.