Obituary of Larry Fred Crenshaw

Tacoma, Wa: Larry Fred Crenshaw, Sr was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 3, 1953. He was the eldest son of seven children to the late Mr. Fred James and Mrs. Artheldia Danzy Crenshaw. 

He confessed Christ at a young age at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama and was an active member until his enlistment into the Army military forces in 1972.  Larry later converted to Orthodox Christianity and became a devoted member of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tacoma, Washington. 

Larry attended W.C. Davis Elementary, A.G. Jr High, and was a graduate of Wenonah High School. He had a great love for visual and performing arts, which he had a natural talent for theatre. As a teen, Larry created and designed comic books filled with exciting stories and detailed hand sketched illustrations that brought his comic books to life. When Larry was not working on his comic books that were sold to the kids in his neighborhood, he was creating and directing plays that were performed by his siblings or rehearsing dance steps with his singing group in their family basement. Larry’s mother got in on the act transforming the basement into a black box theatre. Larry marketed his plays throughout the community. Neighbors were eager to purchase tickets and enjoyed watching great entertainment. Larry continued to use his talents entertaining troops while serving in the army and doing stand up comedy shows. He gained popularity and the nickname, “Richard Pryor #2”. 

During his tour in the military, Larry married Vicki P. Crenshaw-Henderson in April, 1976 and from this union was born Larry Crenshaw, Jr where he currently resides in Columbus, Georgia. After being stationed in Tacoma, Washington, Larry decided to retire from the military. In 1985, he was married Donatela (Gina) Ipong-Crenshaw and they moved to South Tacoma until departing from this life.  His beautiful wife, Gina departed on May 9, 2017 and Larry departed on April 26, 2021. The two will soon be reunited in peace on May 12, 2021 at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

Larry leaves to cherish his memories, his loving 88 year old Queen Mother, Artheldia Danzy Crenshaw of Birmingham, AL; his son, Larry Crenshaw Jr and his 7 year old grandson, Larry Crenshaw III of Columbus, GA; his three sisters of Birmingham, AL, Brenda Crenshaw-Hodo, Angela Crenshaw, Jacqueline Crenshaw-Lockhart; three brothers of Birmingham, AL,

Reginald Crenshaw, Robert Charles Crenshaw, Sr., Mallory Emanuel Crenshaw; his three only remaining uncles: Edward, Alvin, and John Crenshaw of Birmingham, AL; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, neighbors, and members of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.