Augusta, GA - Larry Lee Anthony, 69, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017 at University Hospital.
Born June 16, 1947 in Greenville, OH to Rev. Lester & Helen Anthony, Larry moved with his family to Georgia as a youth and attended Fitzgerald High School. He later served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hornet and USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War, completing three tours in the Tonkin Gulf.
In 1972, Larry began his firefighting career with the Fitzgerald Fire Department working his way up to Lieutenant and also started the Ben Hill County Volunteer Fire Department. He was so proud to serve as a Certified Instructor with the State of Georgia Fire Academy, training thousands of firefighters in Georgia and South Carolina.
In 1983, Larry became the Fire Chief of the Hazlehurst Fire Department. One of his greatest contributions was the building of two fire stations in Hazlehurst. After moving to Augusta in 1993, Larry became the Emergency Response Team Chief at International Paper in Augusta until 2010.
Larry was a loving son, father, brother, and grandfather. He was noted for his dry humor, generous spirit, love of God and firefighting. He enjoyed active time with his grandchildren, painting, wood working, and volunteering with his church, Southside Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Lester H. Anthony. Survivors include his mother, Helen B. Anthony of Fitzgerald, GA, his daughters; Michelle Hopper (Jamee) and April Harris (Dan), both of Augusta, GA, his brother; Randy Anthony (Nancy) and his sister; Joy Harbin, both of Fitzgerald, GA, his grandsons; Ryan Hopper and Gavin Harris, his granddaughter; Eden Harris, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, Larry asked that donations to be made to the Georgia Firefighters Association, 191 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 or the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, 3675 J. Dewey Gray Cir. Suite 300 Augusta, GA 30909.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 10, 2017 at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Brian LaFavor officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.