Larry Leroy Balding went home to be with Jesus on Valentines Day February 14, 2025 after a brief illness.

Larry's testimony of his faith was reflected in the Scripture: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

In the mid 1970s Larry experienced the presence of the Lord mightily as he was walking the street late one night with anger in his heart and looking for someone and beheld his face in the storefront window and was overcome by the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin.  Falling to his knees he accepted Jesus as Lord and served Him ever since.  Larry shared his faith always teaching and preaching wherever he was asked to give his testimony.  He believed whether in the workplace or the street to be light.

Larry credited his praying mother for leading to his salvation and spoke of several miracles which he experienced in his childhood and life which he believed that God had spared him so he could live the life God called him to live.  His favorite Scripture was "Faithful is He who calleth you that also will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:24.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Alma Balding, and a niece Elizabeth O'Leary.

He is survived by his wife Maureen of 44 years; two sisters, Vickie Balding Slaughter (Randy), MaryLynn Thompson (Matthew); nephews, Jared Balding and Ben Balding (Hillary); niece, Lesley Thompson;  great nephews, Luke and Nick Balding.

He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Casey O'Leary (Terri), Tony O'Leary (Theresa), and Michael O'Leary (Brigitte); his nieces and nephews; Katie O'Leary Marcelain (Dan), Daniel O'Leary, Kelsi O'Leary, Patrick O'Leary (Shelby), and David O'Leary, and Colleen O'Leary; Nathaniel O'Leary (Alycia), and Benjamin O'Leary; along with great nephews, Felix, Bruce, and Peter O'Leary.
Larry was born in his Mamaw Georgia Payne Balding's house in Oak Hill, WV on May 26. 1947.
He was raised in Ripley, WV attending Ripley schools until his senior year when a family move took him to Sissonville WV.  Larry graduated high school from Sissonville High School in 1965.

Larry graduated from Fairmont State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1970.
He then pursued a teaching career in science and chemistry and taught at Andrew Jackson Middle School in Cross Lanes, WV, where he was head football coach.

Larry married Maureen in 1981 and began a career in Industrial Water Treatment Sales working in the Catlettsburg, Ky refinery currently Marathon Petroleum Refineries where he retired in 2004.
He also worked throughout his retirement at various refineries including the Detroit Marathon Petroleum Refineries (where he made new friends at both the refinery and the very fine Peoples Bakery where he enjoyed frequenting); and Canton Petroleum Refineries; and Marathon Garyville refinery Louisiana, and currently had been working at the Altivia Plant in Haverhill, Ohio.

Larry loved life and socializing and missed having someone to tell his stories too so he continued working throughout his retirement where as one stated, "you just can't keep a good man down"
Larry had a gift not only for his job activities "call the old experienced guy to help us" and abilities to relate and interact with others "the donut guy!" but a wonderful gift and insight into teaching and problem solving on the job.

Larry will be sadly missed by his family and friends and coworkers.  Many have communicated that he made an impact on their lives as a mentor, a friend, a teacher and a coach, and changing their lives for the better.  He was known for his great funny stories about his life and times and experiences growing up in WV. He believed in being positive and that every day was a gift from God. Larry was a devoted husband of Maureen and the kindest soul and the best husband a wife could have ever have hoped and had.  He loved his nieces and nephews and wanted the very best for them and for them to know they are loved by family and by God.  He was a light in a dark world that filled others' lives with joy.

He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Valley Christian Assembly of God church on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Visitors may greet the family two hours prior to the service at the Valley Christian Assembly of God, 1730 Bigley Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302 - (304) 344-3525.

In lieu of flowers Larry would have very much liked donations to be made to his niece's
Scholarship fund.  The Elizabeth O'Leary Scholarship Fund
Checks should be made payable to: (with Elizabeth's name in the memo)
Nitro High School
1300 Park Ave.
Nitro, WV  25143
Tax ID  55-6000337-002

Services will consist of a cremation and private burial.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.
www.kellerfuneralhome.net