Larry Mack Caldwell, 89, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully on April 21, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family after an extended struggle with dementia.

Larry was born December 10, 1934, to Edith and Moore Caldwell. He graduated from Mooresville Senior High School in 1953 and went on to study business and economics at King’s and Queen’s Colleges in Charlotte.

Larry loved his country and was very proud of his service in the U.S. Army, where he served from 1958 to 1960, stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. When it was discovered that he had an aptitude for numbers, he was assigned to a chaplain at Leighton Chapel, where he kept the books and managed the finances of the church.

After returning from Germany, he married Sylvia Grey Story, and together they had two children, Susan and David. Larry worked as a certified public accountant at Coopers and Lybrand in Charlotte, where he was a longtime valued partner in the firm. He was loved and well-respected by his employees, his co-workers, and his clients.

Larry had a long and rich retirement, lasting as long as his original career. He enjoyed spending time with his beloved Wendy, hunting and fishing with his best friend and son, David, debating politics with his daughter, Susan, teaching his grandchildren how to bait a hook and filet a flounder. He maintained a bountiful garden every summer and could still climb a tree stand well into his 80s. He took his family and grandchildren to the Outer Banks every year for as long as he was able and always outfished everyone else on the boat. He instilled a love and respect for nature in four generations of his family.

Larry was a man of patience and kindness. He could be a man of few words, so people listened when he spoke. He had a true servant’s heart and was a blessing to his family, friends, and neighbors. He was always ready to offer a hand with a chainsaw, a generator, a bag of homegrown tomatoes, a kind word, or a Diet Pepsi and an iced oatmeal cookie. Larry lovingly cared for his mother for many years when she was diagnosed with the same cruel disease that eventually took her son.

Larry loved his Lord, and he gave freely of his time and resources to his church. He was a lifetime member of Fair View United Methodist Church in Mt. Mourne, where he served as church treasurer for many decades. He also served as chair of the church council and finance committees. He enjoyed cooking for Wednesday night fellowship suppers and Sunday morning men’s breakfasts. Larry was especially famous for his meatloaf (molasses was his secret ingredient) and ham biscuits. In 2013, he was awarded the Fair View United Methodist Men Outstanding Service Recognition. He was also proud to be a consistent blood donor to the American Red Cross, donating over ten and a half gallons of blood over the years.

Larry was preceded in heaven by his loving mother and father, whom we know are so happy to see him.

Larry is survived by his cherished significant other of almost 30 years, Wendy Klockner; his ex-wife and mother of his children, Sylvia Caldwell; their children: Susan Caldwell Brawley of Clemmons, N.C., and husband Doug, and David Mack Caldwell of Mooresville, N.C., and wife Karen; five grandchildren: Erin Brawley Britton (Josh), Logan Edward Brawley (Jill), Hannah Brawley Medlin (Zack), John Mack Caldwell, David Grey Caldwell; and four great grandchildren, who unfortunately didn’t get to know their pawpaw before dementia took him away, Oren Mack, Ada Grey, Maya Collins, and Laine Brawley.

The family is eternally grateful for the wonderful team from Via Hospice Care who cared for Larry and the entire family during the last month of his life, as well as the caregivers from Home Instead.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Fair View United Methodist Church in Mt. Mourne on June 1, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Larry to your local Hospice organization, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Fair View United Methodist Church.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Caldwell family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.