Lawrence Douglas (Larry) Shadid, age 74

Lawrence Douglas (Larry) Shadid, 74, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024   at home in Cabot, AR surrounded by his loving family. Larry was born June 26, 1949 in Oklahoma City, OK to Imogene and Lawrence Shadid. The family moved to North Little Rock, AR in 1954 where Larry grew up. He graduated in 1967 from North Little Rock High School where he played football, ran track and cultivated lifelong friends, some going back to kindergarten. He also attended the University of Arkansas and UALR before starting a family and establishing his career.

Larry had an indomitable spirit matched only by his exuberance for adventure and life. He also had an inquisitive mind that would take you to the outer realm of your usual and accustomed vocabulary in a most surprising way. He kept you on your toes mentally and conversationally. His exuberance and willingness to try anything has been recounted for years in stories that his family and friends will recognize immediately if you say the words fire hydrant, weejun skiing, black leather jacket skateboarding, pyramid sledding or the purple clothes incident.

Larry had a fabulous sense of humor and his dry wit never failed to help make light of many rather critical situations. He had many near-death experiences before he was 21, the most serious being a broken neck that he sustained at a high school football pool party which resulted in temporary paralysis. He recovered fully and several years later he was breakdancing by spinning on his head until his friends urged him to stop. Everyone was terrified. Later in life he ran over himself with his own car and maintained that it was the car’s fault.

Larry was that guy that made you feel good when you saw him and when you left. He was a well-rounded guy who wrote poetry, had a mastery of numbers, liked to read, loved music and could always have everyone rolling on the floor laughing with his funny stories. He could easily have had a successful career as a standup comedian. Once when Larry and Clarice went on a relaxing island vacation Larry explained in detail how bizarre it was to see trees and buildings moving (they were in an earthquake). As they were returning home from the vacation the engines died in the plane. Larry remarked that it was unique to see the faces of people in the plane experiencing near death. A couple of days after returning home from this blissful vacation, the police and FBI showed up at Clarice’s workplace to ask her about the car she and Larry had recently purchased which was apparently stolen (Not by Larry) – You can’t make this stuff up.

In his early life Larry was a Young Life Leader.  He and Clarice met through Young Life.  She got on a crowded Young Life bus headed to Snow Camp and Larry said “sit beside me” and she has been by his side ever since through many highs and lows. Larry had lots of jobs over the years managing Tire Stores, being active in his community serving on the School Board, and later when they lived in Las Vegas going to Casino Dealer school and being a sought-after dealer in the casinos.  You know the people at Larry’s table always had a good time. He thought his main and most important job was raising his boys, Doug and Chris, and being involved in their lives.  He coached their baseball teams for years and always supported them in everything they tried. That was his most important job until his precious grandson, Kennon, was born and then the job of Papa took precedent over everything else. Larry led a very full and eventful life and he kept us all entertained with his experiences. Although he had many health problems over the years, he fought to keep on going until his body just gave out. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Imogene and Lawrence Shadid and his niece, Rachel Shadid. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Clarice Miller Shadid, his beloved sons, Douglas (Jeannette) of Cabot, Christopher of Sellersburg, Indiana, his daughter in law, Jackie and the light of his life his wonderful grandson, Kennon all of Cabot.  Larry had a close relationship with his siblings and leaves behind his sister, Cynthia Maddox (Jimmy) of Germantown, TN, brothers Michael Shadid (Joy) and Stephen Shadid (Brenda) all of North Little Rock, brother-in-law Danny Miller (Cheryl) of Dallas, Texas, his nieces and nephews Stephanie Maddox of Memphis, TN; Daniel Maddox (Cindy) of Los Angeles, CA, Mika Shadid Tucker (Carson), Sammi Shadid, Christian Shadid (Kristen), all of North Little Rock, Kyle Shadid (Stacey) of Little Rock, Danielle Boroughs (Dave), Alexandra Morton (Eric) of Dallas, TX and many great nieces and nephews.

Larry also leaves behind a group of lifelong friends and their spouses who annoyed him with group texts and phone calls for over 60 years. Gary Neaville (Digie), Dan Blackwood (Patti), Robert Dempster (Hildy), Sheila Galbraith Bronfman (Richard), Barbara Hopkins Hartwick, Linda Wilson Neuman (Jim) and Craig Loibner (Julie).

All are invited to join in a celebration of Larry’s remarkable life which will be held on Saturday, January 20^th at 2pm at Next Level Events 400 W Markham St, Little Rock led by his lifelong friends, Rev. Craig Loibner and Rev. Patti Blackwood. A reception will follow from 3-5pm also at Next Level Events where all are welcome to come and share stories of Larry.  A private burial will be held by the family.

Memorials to Arkansas Hospice; 14 Parkstone Circle, NLR, AR 72116. www.arkansashospice.org/shineyourlight23

The family thanks the staff of the Searcy branch of Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate care and a special thanks to Bruce Holsted for calls and texts that provided comfort and strength.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com