Obituaries

Lawrence Edward "Larry" Mobley

Photo of Lawrence Edward "Larry" Mobley
Lawrence Edward Mobley (Larry) was born February 22, 1926, and passed away at Parkway Village on Monday, September 15, 2014. Born in Traskwood, Arkansas, Lawrence was the son of the late Alma Elmore and William Lawrence Mobley. A long-time resident of Little Rock, Lawrence graduated from Little Rock High School in 1944. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Corps and served for two years. He then enlisted in the Reserves until he was honorably discharged in 1952. He attended Hendrix College where he lettered in basketball and tennis, graduating in three years with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Education in 1949. After graduating from Hendrix, Lawrence was named the boys' basketball coach at Conway High School where he coached for four years. After coaching at Conway High School, he purchased and operated the Hendrix College Bookstore and completed work on his Master's Degree in Education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He returned to coaching at Little Rock Central High School where he served as head boys' basketball coach and assistant football coach. In four years, his team earned two state runner-up honors and a State Championship. In 1956, he was named the first High School All Star Basketball Coach for the East team. In 1960, he returned to his college Alma Mater and became the Warriors basketball coach for three years. He was inducted into the Hendrix Sports Hall of Honor in 2005. Mobley left Hendrix to begin a long successful banking career at First National Bank and Worthen Bank in Little Rock. While in banking, he earned degrees from the Bank of Public Relations and Marketing School at Northwestern University and the SMU Graduate School of Banking. After his retirement from banking, he established I-Commerce Independent Business. For over a decade, he served as the General Partner of Wilson Farm Properties and developed the City Center in Greenbrier, Arkansas. More recently, he sold commercial real estate for Rector Phillips Morse. As a community volunteer, Lawrence served on various boards. He was active on the Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Board for several decades, having served as President. Recently, as an Emeritus Board Member, a scholarship was named in his honor for his longstanding commitment of 35 years to this organization. As an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Lawrence served on the Board of Stewards and was involved with the Cancer Friends Support Group. He is survived by his wife, Freda Lou Wilson Mobley; two daughters, Jane M. Turney (Dr. Howard M. Turney) of Little Rock; a grandson, Howard "Bo" Moose Turney Jr. of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia; Joy L. Williams (Grady L. Williams) of Conway; and two brothers, William Lloyd Mobley of Little Rock, and Danny Lee Mobley (Mary) of Benton. He was preceded in death by a daughter, JeJo Mobley. In addition to his family, he leaves behind many friends and colleagues. He never met a stranger and had a strong willingness to help "coach" others. His quick humor and sweet demeanor will be remembered. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care given by the staff at Parkway Village Health Care Center and Baptist Health Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held today, Wednesday, September 17 at 3 p.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn, followed by a reception in Wesley Hall. Memorials may be made to the JeJo Mobley Endowment Fund at PHUMC Foundation, the Goodwill Industries Lawrence E. Mobley Scholarship Fund, or AA Central Office. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Mr. Mobley's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com

Published September 17, 2014

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