Larry Cassady

E. Larry Cassady, 74, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, after a two- and half-year bout with cancer. He died peacefully at home.

Larry was born May 22, 1948 to Ruby Wilford Cassady and Charles Joseph Cassady in Ivy, Virginia. After graduating from Ferrum Junior College, he transferred to Lynchburg College where he met the love of his life, Polly, in October 1968. After graduation, they married, and briefly moved to Connecticut before settling in Virginia, where Larry worked as stable manager at Randolph Macon Woman’s College and then was the Fence Manager Duke Fence Company for 35 years.

Larry’s profession was building fences (and he was damn good at it), but his passion was people. He treated customers with the same care and respect he offered his co-workers and friends. He was also a Stephen Minister, an 8-year band booster at EC Glass, and a card-carrying Girl Scout. In retirement, he officiated track and field events, a passion leftover from high school and college. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Lynchburg Grows, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Virginia Baptist Hospital, and Interfaith Outreach. It was his life’s work to take care of others, but he didn’t feel like his job was done until he made them laugh.

The only thing he loved as much as people were his dogs. For decades, he and his black dogs (first Wally, then Daisy), were fixtures on Rivermont Avenue. Not everyone knew Larry’s name, but they recognized the dogs he walked.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and his stillborn older brother, Charles J. Cassady Jr. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Polly, and children Melani (Cassady) Ladygo (and her husband, Adam), and Jack C. Cassady (and his wife, Leigh Cassady Yudowich), as well as two grandchildren: Ella and Audrey Cassady.

We will gather at St. John’s Episcopal Church (205 Elmwood Avenue) on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 10AM. A reception will follow the service. Larry was adamant that he wanted people to gather to celebrate, rather than mourn his passing. Friends far and wide are invited to come and share fond memories and stories…to laugh and ‘tell lies’ as he would say.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lynchburg Humane Society, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Interfaith Outreach, Lynchburg Grows, or a charity of your choice.