Larry Wilson Bristow

Larry Wilson Bristow, 83,  passed peacefully from this world September 4, 2024, at his home, after a year of declining health. His two daughters held his hands while he passed.

Larry was born December 12, 1940 in Pinehurst, NC to Bascom Mack Bristow and Ruth Swain Bristow. Larry spent his younger years in Moore County.

In 1961, Larry was introduced to Betty Lou Betts by mutual friends. The couple fell madly in love, marrying shortly thereafter on October 8, 1961 in Bennettsville SC.

Larry & Betty began their life together in Sanford where children Anthony (Tony) and Kimberly (Kim) were born. In 1967, shortly after Larry began working at Kellwood Company, the family moved to Siler City. Two more children, Michelle and Tracy, were born after the family settled in Siler City.

Larry spent the majority of his career at Kellwood (later Glendale Hosiery) working his way up from machine fixer to head of the R & D department.

Larry enjoyed family vacations, family get togethers, eating good food (especially sweets), playing and watching golf and traveling with his wife. He especially enjoyed making and eating homemade ice cream. Larry also loved going to the beach where he loved floating on his back in the ocean (wearing his floating hat) a skill he tried to teach all his children and grandchildren. Larry also loved music, especially bluegrass, and played several musical instruments. He spent about 10 years playing with the “Rocky River Ramblers”, a local bluegrass group. Larry loved sharing his musical talents with his children and grandchildren and encouraged them all in their musical endeavors.

Larry was a faithful member of Brookdale Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving in many roles, including singing in the choir and serving as a deacon. He was Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee for several decades, taking extremely good care of his beloved church in ways most people never realized. 

In addition to his parents and his wife of 62 years, Larry was predeceased by his brother George Robert Davis, his sister Janette Ashley and husband Bobby, and brother John Harold Tyson as well as his in-laws and numerous half-siblings on the Bristow side.

Left to cherish Larry’s memory are his four children: son Tony (Stretch) Bristow and wife Donna of Siler City; Kimberly (Kim) B. Gaines and husband Ricky of Bear Creek; Michelle Bristow of Siler City; and Tracy Bristow and girlfriend Kimberly Thomas of Pittsboro.

Papa Larry also leaves behind seven grandchildren whose lives were very much shaped by his love and constant presence in their lives: Marlene Gaines of Jefferson; Jedidiah (Jed) Bristow and wife Abby of Siler City; Shelby G. Stitcher and husband Nathan of Hays, KS; Erin Bristow Spear and husband Justin of Newland; Luke Pierce and wife Kaitlin of Siler City; Emily Pierce of Siler City; and Madison Gaines of Bear Creek.

Larry is also survived by great-granddaughters Marlee Stonecipher of Jefferson, and Ellie and McKinsley (M.J.) Spear of Newland. 

Larry also leaves behind his brother Tommy Tyson (Jackie) of Robbins, sister-in-law Janice Tyson of Asheboro, very special neighbor of almost 50 years, Nat Murray and several nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday September 7, 2024 at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at Brookdale Baptist Church on Sunday September 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Klink, Jr. and Rev. Walter Jones officiating. A private burial service will follow at Lee Memory Gardens in Sanford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookdale Baptist Church P.O. Box 428 Siler City, NC 27344. 

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Bristow family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com