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Larry E. Gaddis, 88, a resident of Albuquerque about 25 years, died Nov. 8, 2003. He was born June 3, 1915, in Lincoln, Ill., to James and Laura Giles Gaddis. He graduated from embalmer's college in 1938 and entered the U.S. Army in 1941, serving in the South Pacific. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in August 1943 and served many years in medical rehabilitation with the army and Veterans Administration hospitals at Hines, Ill., and Tucson, Ariz. He was certified as a medical rehabilitation coordinator in 1952. During WWII, he also was chief of Hospital Branch, Air Materiel Command, Army Air Force with 17 hospitals. He retired as an Army lieutenant colonel in the Medical Service Corps in 1975. Before moving to Albuquerque, Larry owned the Grant Road Tavern in Tucson, known for its famous "giant" ham sandwiches. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 401 and was a core long-time member of the VA medical center cancer support group. He volunteered with the American Cancer Society of New Mexico since 1986, and has spoken to more than 10,000 children at local schools about the importance of living a smoke-free life. He also worked in the VA Speech Clinic for 17 years as a laryngectomy volunteer. Among his many awards was being an honoree in March 2000 for the Sixth Annual People's Caring Awards for People Living Through Cancer. He was preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Rose M. Gaddis; his children, Lauretta Mortimer of Albuquerque, Larry E. Gaddis Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev., and Kelly E. Gaddis of Tuscola, Ill.; grandchildren, Jeff Gaddis; Bridget Gaddis, Pat Gaddis, Chris Gaddis, Troy Matthews, and Scott Matthews, and great-grandchildren, Jannelle Matthews, Candis Matthews, Brittany Matthews, Caitlin Gaddis, Madison Gaddis, Holly Matthews and Summer Sadd. Visitation is Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral service is Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. in Vista Verde Mortuary, 4310 Sara Rd. at Meadowlark Ln. in Rio Rancho. Honorary pallbearers are: Larry E. Gaddis Jr., Kelly E. Gaddis, Pat Gaddis, Troy Matthews, Troy Thomas and Roger Mortimer. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cards and letters to the family may be sent to: Lauretta Mortimer, 10104 Essex Dr. NW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87114. Arrangements by: Vista Verde Mortuary 892-9920
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