Larry Dean Kellum

Larry Dean Kellum, age 65, of Northport, Alabama, passed away March 22, 2024 at Northport Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Magnolia Chapel North with Berry Kellum and James Williams officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Alabama National Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel North directing. Visitation will be 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley Kellum and Maxine Williams; brothers, Jerry Kellum, Jimmy Kellum, Terry Kellum, and Doug Kellum; son, Anthony Kellum; and granddaughter, Anna Kellum-Rosser.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Kellum; daughters, Rachael Fiddler and Christina Rosser; brothers, Ronnie Kellum, Berry Kellum, Mike Kellum, and Michael Williams; grandchildren, Ashlyn Kellum, Hailey Rosser, Tyler Rosser, Paeton Bungert, Krystyan Kellum, Sidney Fiddler, and Jacob Fiddler; and great-granddaughter, Deleaza Arteaga.

It is with a heavy heart and much sorrow that we share the passing of Larry Dean Kellum on March 22, 2024. As beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and husband, he will be greatly missed.
Larry was born June 26, 1958 to parents Harley and Maxine Kellum. One of eight boys raised in a military family, Larry’s early life included many adventures. He often told tales of hilarious antics with his brothers, about being a farm foreman before he graduated high school and even a stint in the circus helping raise the big top with elephants.

Larry graduated in 1976 from Vancleve high school in Vancleve Mississippi. His path after graduation included trying college and a job at Ingles Ship Building.  Shortly after high school enlisted in the Army and found the career that he embraced. His tour of duty included Korea before being stationed in Ft. Rucker, AL.

It was February 14, 1979 he would meet his soulmate. A chance meeting during a night out led to a marriage that spanned almost 45 years. For it was there he would meet Cindy McRae, his future soul mate. A whirlwind romance led to their marriage on May 18, 1979. Later that year, on December 13, 1979 they welcomed their first child Rachael.

As a young military family, they lived at first around the base at Ft. Rucker and 2 years later were stationed in Germany. As a Staff Sergeant specializing in Field Artillery during the Cold War, Larry’s time in Germany was spent defending our country and adventures with his family.
In 1983, Larry was injured in a military accident that required a 6-month hospital stay, then a year and a half on crutches. During this time, we discovered that the family would have another addition. Coming back state side, a son named Anthony was born November 4, 1984.Then a year and a week to the day later was a daughter named Christina born on November 11, 1985.

Then 1986 brought retirement from the military. His injury had prevented him from serving in a full capacity and the military chose an honorable discharge.  Throughout his military career, he met many individuals who would become his extended family and form lifelong bonds.

As many know, career transition from the military is quite difficult. The family moved many times searching for the best career path that would allow Larry his goal of supporting his family successfully. Along the way he met several people who would become dear friends, saw his oldest daughter graduate high school and welcomed his first grandchild. His path led him to many happy memories, many ups and downs and ultimately becoming a successful Safety Engineer.

With many more moves, regular out of town trips and lots of hard work, Larry and his wife Cindy were finally able to move back to their Sweet Home Alabama in 2006. Unfortunately, several surgeries and his military injury caught up with him and in 2008 he retired.
While retiring was not something he had anticipated, it brought a new type of joy. Being at Papaw and Nanny’s house quickly became the hot spot for every grandchild. Candy and dollars in pocket, he doled out his affection and wisdom to each grandchild with a smile on face and happy heart.  Yet even joy can have times of sorrow as the death of his son Anthony in 2013 was devastating. It was Larry’s devotion to his faith that gave him comfort during such a difficult time. While the grief he felt was immense, the love from his family and watching his grandchildren grow, brought a sweet solace in their smiles and laughter.

As time passed, Larry’s health battles became many, yet despite this he never lost his faith and had his beloved Cindy at his side. He was a wonderful loving man whose only goal in life was to live by the tenants he knew of God, country, family.  He achieved this and a legacy of love that stretches far beyond anything he could have ever imagined. To those who knew him, loved him, heard his many life lessons through his animated stories and experienced the man, the myth, the Papaw…he will forever be missed.

Pallbearers will be Scott Rosser, Tyler Rosser, Carlos Arteaga, Ronnie Kellum, Michael Williams and Mike Kellum.

The honorary pallbearer is Jacob Fiddler.

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe has been set up by Ashlyn Kellum honoring Larry’s wishes to help his wife and family with funeral expenses not covered by the military. More information is available at https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-expenses-for-larry-kellum