PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH, 2102 N. LOOP 1604 E SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232 is serving the family.

https://www.porterloring.com/

Phone: (210) 495-8221

Larry Gelvin, age 77, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, as he succame to complications related to a second battle with cancer. As with many things in life, he faced this challenge with dignity and good nature. He departed this world with, "I love you, guys," while surrounded by family.

Larry was born in Glade, Kansas to Larry Edward Gelvin Sr. and Betty Marie Martin Gelvin. He graduated from Harper High School in Harper, Kansas in 1963 where he was a percussionist and a sports editor for the school newspaper. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy serving a lttle over three years, mostly on a Naval Air Station in Fallon, Nevada.

After the Navy, he spent 34 years with the Federal Aviation Administration starting in March of 1967 at the Wichita Municipal Airport as an Air Traffic Controller. He later transferred to Miami International Airport and then to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as an instructor, his most rewarding position with the FAA. During his four years at the academy he taught students from across the globe. He later worked in supervisory positions at the Tulsa International Airport and lastly at the San Antonio International Airport where he retired in March of 2001.

While in Miami, Florida he met and later married Mary Jane "Janie" Kranz. Larry not only shared his last name with Janie but also with her son, James "Jimmy" Grimmette, when he adopted Jimmy as his own. Larry and Janie later had children of their own, Tracy, in Oct. 1976, and Michael, in Sept. 1978.

Larry began volunteering as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs of Texas shortly after moving to San Antonio in 1989. After retirement with the FAA, he was hired as a staff member to work with their puppy program. There he held the titles of Puppy Raiser Supervisor and later Puppy Program Manager. He had a knack for problem solving training issues with puppies and being able to coax animals into performing their duties as they should. He also participated in the PAWsitive Approach Program with Dominguez State Jail where he would work with offenders, helping them to train puppies to become future guide dogs. In addition, he later expanded his services and experience to the San Antonio branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

In his spare time, Larry enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and taking road trips with family. He was a voracious reader and kept sharp with daily crossword puzzles. His love stretched beyond immediate family to nieces, nephews, and his goddaughter, with whom he cherished his role as "Uncle Larry." He was an eager host to extended family and made it a point to attend important events in the lives of those he loved.

Larry is survived by his son, James Howard Gelvin (Edith), daughter, Tracy Marie Gelvin Anderson (Russell), and Michael Ross Gelvin (Loraine); grandchildren Jacob Alexander Gelvin, Aidan James Gelvin, Lauren Jane Anderson, Jack Conner Anderson, Celeste Allison Contreras, Addison Noel Contreras, Zoe Mary-Jane Gelvin; brothers, Gary Gelvin, Doyle Gelvin, and Jim Gelvin.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 am., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Larry's name to:

Guide Dogs of Texas

Guide Dogs for the Blind

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, JUNE 30,2023

11:00 AM

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

2102 N. LOOP 1604 E SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232

Online condolences can be left on Larry's obituary page of Porter Loring's website:

https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Larry-Edward-Gelvin-Jr?obId=28250510