Lawrence Vincent Conces

Lawrence Vincent Conces, otherwise known as Larry or Bear to his loved ones, was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend when he left his earthly body on January 6, 2024, at the age of 92. Larry was the third of four children born to George and Annie Conces on September 3, 1931 in Pasadena, Texas.

Larry was known for his tall stature and at 6’6 ½ ” he was easy to spot at St. Pius V Catholic Church, in the Alley Theater where he enjoyed seeing plays, in grocery stores on Saturday mornings (prior to which he clipped coupons to get the best deals), at the bowling alley where he honed his exceptional bowling skills, and just about anywhere else he went.

As a frugal man who grew up in a frugal household, Larry remembered eating jelly sandwiches for lunch every single day from 1st to 12th grade. He remembered milking the cows and gathering eggs before breakfast and he frequently walked barefoot to school in his younger years.

Larry graduated from Pasadena High School in 1949 and attended North Texas State University on a basketball scholarship during which time he met his children’s mother, Patsy Peck. They married in 1953 and moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where Larry served in the Army before moving back to Pasadena where he raised his five children and was employed in the machine shop at Sinclair Refinery (now Atlantic Richfield Corporation (“ARCO”).

Larry was extremely neat and organized, therefore his children would frantically run through the house picking up any messes before he arrived home from work so that he could find a “clean nest”. He retired from ARCO as manager of the machine shop in 1985 and enjoyed spending his retirement years with his wife, children and grandchildren, working cross-word puzzles and word jumbles, shelling pecans, gardening, attending ARCO retirement gatherings and plays, and especially bowling. Almost all of his children played or subbed on a bowling league with him at one time or another. Larry also had nicknames for his children and their friends and he passed this trait onto his children, who lovingly give nicknames to their family and friends. He was a wonderful provider who put all of his children through college and he continued to guide them throughout their adult years with sensible advice.

Larry was a good cook and was famous for his hot-dip, home-made popcorn served in a large paper sack, fresh veggies and heart-warming dishes. He always appreciated a good home-cooked meal and liked to finish it off with one of his favorite indulgences, Blue Bell Ice Cream. If it was his birthday, he asked for a white cake with seven-minute icing and coconut on top. He most certainly ate this cake at least 92 times, if not more.

Larry was a strong family man and would lend a hand to family and friends whenever they were in need. He was frequently spotted under the hood or engine of an old car working with his brother to get it running again. He knew how to repair just about anything and was often asked to help fix some machine or another.

Larry and Patsy divorced in 1977 and he lived the single life for many years before meeting his second wife, Aline Henderson. They met on a bowling league and married in 1992 and eventually moved to Conroe, Texas after Larry recovered from a near-death stroke. He endured many health issues with strength and courage and never complained of his pain or circumstances. Aline was his sole caregiver for nearly 30 years until her diagnosis with Parkinson’s robbed her of her mobility. With the help of daughter’s Kaye and Ellen and caregivers, Elizabeth Bossert, May Johnson and Mindy Breazeale, Larry continued to grace us with his wisdom and humor until the very end.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, George Conces, Jr. and sister, Ann Trunelle and his loving wife, Aline Conces and is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Collins and children, Kaye (Gary) Spessard, Bob (Liz) Conces, Carolyn (Scott) Bossert, Nancy Conces Green, Ellen (Michael) Andrus and step-children, Tim (Lisa) Henderson, Rob (Kathleen) Henderson, Sherry Henderson Kissner and grand-children, Ashley (Chad) Baker, David (Yesenia) Spessard, Allison (Dennis) Makus, Anna (Mark) Everett, Elizabeth Bossert, Robert (Amanda) Bossert, Michelle (Joseph) Carranza, Matthew (Jordans) Bossert, James and Annie Green, Christian, Cody and Alex Andrus, Zac and Logan Henderson, Alex and Cody Henderson, Jonathan and Madeline Kissner, and 23 great-grandchildren.

The visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Eickenhorst Funeral Services at 1712 N Frasier St. Ste 115, Conroe, Texas 77301. A Rosary will follow the visitation at 8:00 pm. The funeral mass and reception will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 109 North Frazier Street, Conroe, Texas 77301. Graveside and committal will follow the reception at 2:00 PM in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.