Lawrence D. Cruea, age of 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 1, 2020 at Norfolk General Heart Hospital.

Larry was born on December 14, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio, son of the late Ward and Virginia Lee (Davis) Cruea.  After completing high school, he joined the Air Force with a tour in Vietnam. Upon discharge he worked as a manager at Burger Chief and meet Doris Jean Vespie, his future wife. Larry and Doris were married for just a couple weeks shy of 48 years.

After his first child Chad was born, Larry moved his family to Virginia.  He started his 27 year career with Hall Automotive as a car mechanic while living in a Virginia Beach campground. He bought his families’ first home when his 2^nd child, Shaina, was 1 year old.  Over the years he was promoted to Service Manager and finished his career as a Shop Foreman. Larry was always involved in various adventures:

1. Bought and ran a hobby shop that sold radio controlled cars. For 10 years he built and ran 2 race tracks, one indoor and one outdoor.
2. Co-owned a 1966 White Cloud Rolls-Royce. Not only did he keep it running with his mechanical abilities, he drove the car to chauffer weddings.
3. He bought a well-used 25 foot Albemarle boat. He and his son kept the boat running and had a passion for fishing and boating.
4. Larry golfed with his father growing up and shared his love for the game with his son.
5. As a young boy Larry built and raced Soap Box Derby cars with his father. He regularly attended the Indianapolis 500 races, NASCAR races and the Kentucky Derby Horse races.
6. Larry and his family ran a Virginia Beach ocean front parking lot. His children, nieces and nephews all worked summers parking cars.

He loved GOOD food, GOOD wine, GOOD liquor and GOOD cigars. Larry loved his family, worked hard and played hard.

Preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Lee Davis; father, Ward Cruea; sister, Judy Cruea; brother, Steve Cruea; niece, Latashia Wolf. Survived by his wife, Doris Jean Cruea (Vespie); son, Chad Davis Cruea; daughter-in-law, Melissa L. Gregoire-Cruea; grandson, Glenn Michael Gregoire-Cruea; daughter, Shaina Lee Beaton (Cruea); son-in-law, William Andrew Beaton III; grandson, William Andrew Beaton IV.