Lawrence Dortch was born in Boykins, Alabama on February 22, 1963, to Sherry Dortch-Brown and Alex Pettway.
Larry entered eternal rest on December 3, 2023, in Asbury Park, NJ.
In 1980 Larry graduated from Asbury Park High School. After high school he joined the military branch of the Army. Larry loved education and he attended Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ and Community College in New York City, NY, where he made the Dean’s List at both.
Larry had a pleasant and easy-going personality; he was a great conversationalist. He was a walking dictionary as he was an avid reader and took great joy in reading and learning. He delighted in playing the game of chess, it was one of the many things he was masterful at.
Larry was a skilled athlete and played multiple sports, running track, baseball, and basketball. He joined the shore area YMCA in Asbury Park, playing Basketball with Coach Frank Shingle. The team would go on to accomplish several victories. He found great pleasure in sports and used them as a positive outlet.
Throughout the years he worked and performed various jobs, including Trojan Tool Company, NJ, Labor Ready and landscaping.
Larry is predeceased by his Father Alex Pettyway, his Brother Robby Lee Wilson, Maternal Grand Parents Harriet Gray and Llyod, Maternal Aunts, Waltina Jones, Eliza (Ann) Pasha, Mary Ross.
Larry is the oldest of eight children, he leaves to cherish his memory his mother Sherry Dortch-Brown; Sisters Debbie (Peaches) Williams and Letitia (Tee) Dortch; Brothers Anthony (I supreme) Dortch, Gary Dortch, Dominick Dortch(wife Yasmine Dortch), and Devaughn Dortch (wife Tetia Dortch); Maternal Great Aunt Florie Perry; Aunts Barbara Mitchel, Georgia Summer, Irmia Forrest, Erma Gray, Irene Glymph, and Alvenia Hutton; Uncles Harold Gray, and Harry Mosley. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved and cherished dearly, along with a lifetime of friends and his loving partner Annie K.
