John Jacob Larew Jr

November 20, 1948 - April 12, 2018 John Jacob Larew Jr., 69, of Troutman, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 12, 2018. John was born in Schenectady, NY in 1948 and then moved to Waynesboro, Va. when his father was transferred with GE to start a plant there. John grew up in Waynesboro and graduated from Waynesboro High School, attended Ferrum College before graduation from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. John’s original plans had been to go into the military for a career, but was found to have bad knees and was rejected for military service. Not planning on anything else, John had a number of careers in his work history. The longest was as a purchasing and traffic manager for local companies. At age 44, John had a triple bypass, and decided to do what he really enjoyed doing. He had been a firefighter with Troutman Fire & Rescue, and decided that working in emergency services was what he wanted to do with the balance of his work career. He started with Iredell County ECOM, and then went to Cornelius Police Department for 16 ½ years, retiring in 2014 with 21 years of service. Retirement was not a time to stop doing things, so John attended a Town of Troutman Park and Recreation meeting and was then appointed to an alternate board seat. After a few months, he was elevated to a board seat, then elected chairman. John had also retired from Troutman Fire & Rescue with 21 years of service, and was asked to run for the board of directors. After becoming a member of the board of directors, John was elected chairman of the board. John also liked to volunteer locally with the HELP ministries. John delivered meals a few times a month and was asked to run the local food pantry. After just a few months, HELP ministries had to move to a new location. John was able to secure a location on property of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and got moved in before resigning to go to work for Second Harvest Food Bank in Hickory as warehouse manager, a part-time position. His hobbies included photography, storm chasing, and computers. John was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a member of the choir and hand bells. John enjoyed music and also was a cantor and reader. John leaves his beloved wife, Janice, and son, Brantley. Surviving also are two brothers, Hugh Franklin Larew (Wayesboro, VA), David Lawrence Larew, wife Sandy (Orlando, FL), and sister, Mary Larew Smith, husband Bob (Greenville, NC); nephews and nieces, Jacob Larew, wife Jordan (VA), Edward Larew (VA), Josh Larew (FL), Rachel Brown, husband Chad (FL), Robin Smith, wife Sara (NC), Jason Franklin, wife Sheri (NC), and Mark Franklin (NC) along with numerous great-nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 16, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Troutman Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Dieter Punt officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Troutman NC 28166 and/or to Troutman HELP Ministries, P.O. Box 151, Troutman, NC 28166. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com. Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for John Jacob Larew Jr.