Larry Douglas Settle, 72, of Middletown, peacefully died at home after a courageous battle against COPD and Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by the love of his family on Thursday, February 13, 2014. Larry was born February 2, 1942, the son of John and Lola in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Larry leaves behind a sister, Iris Gregory of Bowling Green, KY and several nieces and nephews in Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his sister Edna Howell also of Kentucky.
Larry joined the Navy in 1960 and became a Storekeeper, leaving Bowling Green, KY behind. He found himself at the Lincoln Park Ballroom in North Dartmouth, MA, where he would have the first dance with his sweetheart Mary Ellen Mitchell, who he married in November of 1962. In 1965, Larry was hired by the Newport Electric Company as a clerk. Larry went to night school as they raised their children and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Rogers Williams University. Larry retired 31 years later as Treasurer and Vice President. Larry was well respected as a boss and businessman. In 2012, for their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Larry and Mary renewed their wedding vows at St. Lucy’s Church in Middletown, Father John O’Brien celebrated the service.
Larry and Mary have four children, Larry and his wife Debbie of Newport, Marie Smith of Middletown, Tom and his wife Vickie Settle of Middletown, and Sharon and her husband Jerry Fleming of Cranston, together they have eight grandchildren: Mary Ellen, Maggie, Kimberly, Jennifer, Zac, Logan, Patrick and Douglas and four great grandchildren, Tyler , Claire, Noel and Branson. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Charlie who he rescued after the passing of his buddy KoKo.
Family was Larry’s number one love above all things. When he wasn’t traveling and camping with his family he could be found in his second favorite place, the garden. Neighbors of Center Avenue enjoyed his master gardening skills as beautiful rows of flowers lined his house each year, after he natured them from seedlings in his Green House all winter. What a gift it was if you were able to enjoy his Big Boy Tomatoes or strawberries from his garden. Larry enjoyed fishing, bowling, watching sports and play cards with his family. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly.
Larry was an Associate with the Sisters of St. Chretienne and held various roles in his local parish St. Lucy’s over the years.
Visitation with the family will be on Monday, February 17, from 4:00-7:00PM in the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00, from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial at 9:00am in St. Lucy’s Church, West Main Rd, Middletown. Burial with military honors will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown, RI.
Donations in his memory may be made to Visiting Nurse Services, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
The family would also like to give a special heartfelt thanks to the Middletown Fire Department, the Sisters of St. Chretienne and the St. Lucy’s Community of Faith
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