Lourie “Larry” Arthur Gannaway III

Lourie “Larry” Arthur Gannaway, III, passed away on July 3, 2023 at his residence at the Hilltop Nursing Home in Kerrville, Texas. Lourie was born on March 5, 1947 in Edinburg, Texas to his parents, Lourie “Duke” Arthur Gannaway, Jr., and Dorothea “Dodo” Anna Casberg Gannaway. He lived in Edinburg until the age of seven, when his family moved to Hale Center, Texas where his family owned and operated a cotton gin in the Mayfield Community about 12 miles outside of Hale Center. Lourie graduated from Hale Center High School in 1965. While in high school, Lourie was an avid golfer, winning several team and singles tournaments. He spent summers and part of the school year as the greenskeeper for the Hale Center Country Club. Following graduation, he enrolled at Texas Tech University for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. The Navy trained him to be an Air Traffic Controller. In 1987 he retired after 20 years as a Chief Petty Officer, serving on both the USS Saratoga and the USS Lexington aircraft carriers, as well as at Keflavik Air Station, Iceland, Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, and Naval Air
Station Pensacola, Florida among others. During his tour of duty at NAS Kingsville, he was personally commended for assisting in apprehending numerous low flying aircraft who were transporting illegal drugs across the border from Mexico into the United States.

Lourie married during his early years in the Navy and his daughter, Laurie Annette Gannaway, was born while he was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1979, he married Ruth Ann “Cookie” Diamond. Cookie was raised by Ann and Lief Erickson (best known for his portrayal of Big John Cannon in the television series “The High Chaparral,” as well as starring in films with Bette Davis, Helen Hayes and Greta Garbo). Lourie and Cookie adored their three English Mastiffs, showing them at many Kennel Shows across the country. However, after the three died, they must have had quite a sense of humor because they then raised nine chihuahuas!

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Lourie was hired by a military contractor using his air traffic controller skills on the testing of the Navy’s AEGIS Weapon System. However, a few years later he was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer in his right eye and underwent removal of the eye. After multiple recurrent squamous cell carcinomas, he was forced to retire with severe disabilities.
Regardless of his facial disfigurement, Lourie continued to retain his incredible sense of humor and determination to not let his chronic pain bring him down. Lourie was loved and cared for by the many nurses, drivers and caregivers at Alpine Terrace Assisted Living and Hilltop Nursing Home in Kerrville, Texas, because he always showed his sincere gratitude for their outstanding assistance. Perhaps the best description of Lourie, providing eternal hope for us all, is found in these words by a dear friend in Pensacola: “Larry was one of the most kindhearted
humans I’ve ever known. His restraint was a lesson I will never forget. He taught me so much about how we live and deal with serious adversities. He reminded me of Job in the Old Testament. His kindness and restraint always reminded me of Paul’s words in Romans 2:14-16. I honestly believe that I will see him in the resurrection and he will be whole and complete again.”

Lourie is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his wife, Cookie.

He is survived by his brother Geoffrey Gannaway (wife Carol) of Hunt, Texas, brother John Michael Gannaway (wife Carolyn) of Edinburg, Texas, and daughter Laurie Annette Gannaway Acir (husband Chuck) of Brighton, Michigan, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lourie had many dear friends that kept up with him, even though he was unable to travel to visit them. To all who knew him and loved him, may God continue to bless you in every way!

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