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Larry Eugene McCullough, 85, died Wednesday, Sept. 30 after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born and raised in Mocksville, he spent his retirement years with his wife enjoying life on the shores of the Albemarle Sound. Delivered in the front bedroom of his grandparents’ home, he was the son of the late James and Mattie Sue McCullough. When his father was killed in a motorcycle accident, at age 4, he and his two younger brothers went to live with his paternal grandparents, Ada and Granville McCullough, and their adopted daughter, Peggy. He graduated from Cooleemee High School in 1956, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his final posting in Richmond, Va., he met the love of his life, Ann Pate. The two were married there, and after an honorable discharge – and two children – they returned to North Carolina. Soon after the birth of their third child, he became the second employee hired at Ingersoll Rand in 1965. During his early years with the company, he earned an associate degree from Salisbury Business College.

Suvivors: his wife of 62 years, Ann; his children, Stella Green (Danny), Lonnie (Sheila) and Chris (Lynn); grandchildren, Mac, Thomas and Sam Jackson, Spencer, Georgia and Grace McCullough, and Willem, Margaret, John and Patrick McCullough; his brothers, Delano (Priscilla), and Joe (Carolyn); many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He is also preceded in death by his first wife, the late Betty Jean Hamilton.

Memorial services will be held at a later date due to concerns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so at https://semperfifund.org.