Lawrence F. “Larry” McDaris, Jr., a lifelong resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Born in Cleveland on April 3, 1939 to the late Lawrence F. “Scrubby” McDaris and Jimmie Wilson McDaris.
He attended Arnold Memorial School, The Baylor School in Chattanooga and the Citadel in Charleston, SC, graduating in 1961 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he received a Regular Army commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry, immediately entering on active duty at Ft. Benning, GA. He served the next 21 1/2 years (1961 – 1982) with tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam, Germany (twice) and the USA. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Major personal military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, Airborne Wings and Ranger Tab. Upon retirement from the Army, he returned to Cleveland where he worked for Hardwick Stove/Magic Chef/Maytag from 1982 – 2004 in human resources and training and development.
In May 2007, he was appointed Director of Bradley County Veterans Service Office to serve the 8,000 Veterans in Bradley County and often those from other Counties. He remained in this position 11 1/2 years, retiring in October 2018, proud to give back to the community and fellow Veterans. During this period, he also worked diligently to help bring a 108 bed State Veterans Home to Cleveland/Bradley County. He was equally proud of this accomplishment. For these efforts, he was awarded the Harry S. Truman Citizenship Award in 2013 and the Raymond H. Miller Veteran of the Year Patriotic Award in 2014.
Civic and military involvement/affiliations include Sons of the American Revolution, Elks Lodge, various Military Service Organizations, Southeast Tennessee Veterans Home Council, Mayfield PTO Board/President, Junior Achievement, Chamber of Commerce Education/Workforce Development Committee, Tennessee Technology Advisory Board and Ocoee Regional Tech Prep Executive Board.
He leaves behind his wife, Lusia of 50 years; daughters, Dr. Laura Catharine Brittain, DVM (Lee), Julia Elizabeth McDaris; granddaughter, Clara Wilson Brittain, who brought great joy.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Cleveland. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Church with internment in St. Luke’s Memorial Garden afterward with Reverend Joel W. Huffstetler officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 5, Cleveland, TN 37364-0005 or Bradley County Veteran’s Funeral Honor Guard, c/o Bradley County Veterans Service Office, P.O. Box 1167, Cleveland, TN 37364-1167.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Larry or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.