Mr. Larry D. McCurry, 54, of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Punta Gorda, Florida and Lafayette, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Born February 4, 1956 in Lafayette, Indiana, to the late James E. and Peggy L. (nee – Harshman) McCurry, Larry moved with his family from Indiana to Punta Gorda in 1961. After graduating from Charlotte High School in 1975, Larry attended the New York Art Institute on an Art Scholarship award; he then served briefly in the U.S. Navy. Returning home to follow his passion for Culinary Arts, he began his Culinary career with IGA Bakery in Punta Gorda as an Assistant Manager before moving on to Publix Bakery. His love of cakes, baking, creating and designing led to teaching for Charlotte County’s Vocational Technical School in the Culinary baking and cake designs class’s for a time, while managing his own part-time Catering Company, Larry’s Catering, over a 17 year period of time. His proudest culinary moment came when he was selected to bake a birthday cake for then President Jimmy Carter at the White House. Larry was a former officer and member of the Jaycee’s, Key Club, Charlotte County Businessmen’s Club, and Chairman for the Charlotte County Muscular Dystrophy Chapter.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years, Charlotte H. McCurry; 2 brothers, James McCurry and Rev. Steve McCurry of Alabama; a sister, Bonnie McCurry; 2 step-daughters, Donna and Bonnie; a step-son, Robert; 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by a son, Larry D. McCurry, Jr.