Larry, was a small, quiet, unassuming man in his late 50’s who had spent most of his adult life in prison in Alabama. He had a deep love for children although he had never married and had no children of his own. His work assignment was in the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Houston, TX. Many times, you found Larry on the floor in back of the store playing with toy cars with small children, while their parents shopped.

He was in and out of the center several times, one time he needed detox. Gene & I took him to The 24 Hour Club in Houston. When you asked for help they had a policy of having you sit on their white leather couch for a period of four hours. If you did not leave during that time you earned a bed. You only had one shot at it! He was successful (maybe, because I sat with him) and spent ten days there before coming back into the center.

Shortly thereafter, Larry, was diagnosed with lung cancer and had to have a lung removed at Ben Taub Hospital. He stayed with his brother and sister-in-law during his recovery; he then came back into the center. Later he developed cancer in the remaining lung. Larry’s diagnosis was terminal and his one desire was to die a free man, with a full pardon.

We went to work contacting Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, to present his case to Governor Guy Hunt (Alabama’s governor from 1987-1993). The staff and I wrote letters to Governor Hunt and working with Larry’s parole officer completed the paperwork needed for the proceedings.

Only about a month before Larry died, his full pardon came through. He was called into Major Winters (Administrator for the ARC)office and given the news. He was so grateful and his one statement was “Now I can die a free and sober man.” That day, Larry went home to be with his brother and was under Hospice care. He died shortly after in the Hospice unit in the hospital. As Larry was dying, the hospital called me at home and I hurried up to Houston, but was too late. When I got to his room, the bed was freshly made with a white spread and a long stemmed red rose on it.

Larry, will always be on my heart and mind and one of my many treasures in life.

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