W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Larry Christopher Handley passed peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Wake/Visitation: Friday, March 24th – 4 pm to 7 pm at WT Shumake & Daughters Home, 3815 Newburg Rd, Louisville

Visitation prior to service: Saturday, March 25th – 10 am to 12 pm at Village Worship Church/Ministries of Christ, 1701 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville

Funeral service: Saturday, March 25th – 12 pm (promptly) at Village Worship Church/Ministries of Christ, 1701 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville

Burial: Saturday, March 25th – immediately following funeral at Louisville Cemetery, 1339 Popular Level Rd, Louisville

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you send donations to Tim Handley to establish the Larry Handley Memorial Flower Garden.

Larry Christopher Handley was born on September 30, 1946, to Revered James & Hestella (Pilot) Handley and raised in Louisville, Kentucky (Newburg). Newburg has always been a community of great support and continues to be so today.
Younger years were spent with family and friends with his faith as the cornerstone for many activities. He attended both Community Missionary Baptist Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church on Magazine Street.

Having a large supportive family was important to Larry. Both his sisters Patricia Hill (preceded), Gloria Curtis (preceded), Sandra (Wayne) Alberty (surviving), Rochelle (Timothy) Rogers (surviving), Barbara Bryant (preceded), Geneva King (preceded), and brother Tyrone (Ruth Ann) Handley (surviving) were a great source of joy in his life. There are many tales that have been told of the grand adventures that they shared together.

After graduation from Seneca High School, he joined the US Navy where he served for a couple of years and then onto Caldwell Tanks.

Over the course of his life, Larry had several other careers and even left the Louisville area for a time and moved to North Carolina where he worked at Coca-Cola, and was also a taxi driver back in Louisville. He enjoyed sharing stories from his driving days, as he was able to meet many celebrities … especially at Debry Time. For example, Muhammad Ali even hired him as his personal driver from time to time, along with a few other celebrities. A highlight was receiving a key to the city when he was driving taxis around the city.

Larry had a passion for tennis. He enjoyed playing and also giving tennis lessons. He was a proud member of the Newburg Tennis Association.

Traveling was also something that he enjoyed with his family from Europe to San Juan to Egypt to The Bahamas … he enjoyed each and every place that he visited and spoke of the trips often during his later years.

On a visit to St. Louis with some friends is where he met Flora Klein (St. Clair). They corresponded via love letters and were later married. They had two sons together. The boys were the light of his life. First came Victor (preceded) and then Timothy (surviving) a few years later.

Larry had other partners that he shared his life with at different points. Each of them was important to him and spoke of the joy they shared often.

Being a father and grandfather was something that Larry cherished.

Victor and Larrry, shared a love of fishing and spent countless hours around the many lakes in Kentucky. When Victor passed away, it left a void in his life, so he kept his memories close and spoke about Victor often.

Timothy and Larry spent many hours on the golf course talking about life and just enjoying each other. The Tiger Woods era was especially bonding, as they witnessed the bond of Tiger and his father through the game of golf. Occasionally, Eric Daniels (his cousin) would join them on the course, which was always a special treat.

Timothy blessed him with two beautiful granddaughters Lauryn Handley (surviving) and Victoria Handley (surviving), who enjoyed visiting their grandfather and chatting with him about life.

Often times Larry would spend time with Timothy and his wife Stacey (surviving) and “the little ladies” (as he called his granddaughters) at their home enjoying a meal and family time.

There was always a great story to be heard when visiting with Larry … and it was sure to put a smile on your face.

At the end of his life, he was not alone, as his family was there with him as he peacefully transitioned.

Celebration services for Larry Christopher Handley have been arranged. Patricia Hill (his sister) will also be celebrated at the funeral service, as she passed during Covid and wasn’t able to be celebrated.

Repass Gathering: This will be held at a later date per the family's request.