Lawrence Andrew Stevens

Lawrence Andrew Stevens passed away on July 24, 2026, at his home with his family and the love of so many who visited him in his last days. With steadfast will and a desire to enjoy life, he fought an incredible battle with pancreatic cancer for three years, showing so many what it means to be a fighter.

Born February 5, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, Larry was raised in a duplex full of extended family. His Omie was like a second mother to him, and his cousin, Bill Sprowitz, was his brother and best friend. These relationships forged the kind-hearted, loyal, and generous man Larry became. The man who gave high fives to almost all he met, who drove hours in your greatest time of need just so you knew you were not alone, and who never met a stranger.

His extended family continued to grow when he, at age 12, moved to Satellite Beach, Florida. He became the co-captain of the Satellite High School football team and formed friendships with his Scorpion teammates that lasted sixty years. After his cancer diagnosis, they finally made him the team’s “captain” and invited him onto the field to celebrate. He often talked about how special his time was playing football and being a member of that team. In his adult life, one of Larry’s favorite things to do was watch old college football games, sometimes decades old. A seemingly odd pastime, part of the appeal must definitely have been nostalgia for his old Scorpion football team.

Larry later earned a BS in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech, graduated as an ensign in the US Navy, and received a Master's in Education from Pepperdine University. He had great pride being a "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer" as well as a Navy man. If Larry wasn’t wearing one of his many Georgia Tech T-shirts and his tattered Navy hat, he was definitely wearing one of them.

Much of the essence of Larry’s adult life is perfectly captured by Georgia Tech’s motto “Progress and Service.” One would be hard-pressed to find someone who was in service of and loved America more. In his profession, he worked to defend it and in his free time, he served his community. From the small kindnesses he extended to strangers to the countless hours he devoted to serving others through Hands On DC, Meals on Wheels, his church, the Lake Braddock Community Association, numerous Democratic campaigns, and, after retirement, mentoring young adults through StreetWise Partners and Community College Preparatory Academy, Larry lived the belief that a community thrives when we serve one another. He didn't just believe in that ideal—he lived it every day, standing behind the values symbolized by the American flag that proudly waved outside his home.

His service in the Navy also united him with his love and wife, JoAnne, of 48 years. Together, they created his most valued legacy–their family. Larry was a devoted father to his daughter, Jennifer, and his two sons, Danny and Michael. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, coach, swim team rep, and attended every function he could in which his children and grandchildren participated. He also loved to travel and share these adventures with his entire family. His generosity created so many indelible memories over the years.

We will remember so many things about Larry: his verve for Christmas decorations, his quippy T-shirts and the sentimental ones with his grandchildren’s magnified pictures across his chest, his admiration for inspirational leaders, his sometimes awkward questions, his love of the ocean, the many places he traveled overseas with a cancer diagnosis. The list is endless. But what will always stand above all of it is his genuine love for all of God’s creatures.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Barrington, his grandmother, Herta (Omie), and grandfather, Andrew. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne, his children Danny (Pam), Jennifer (David), and Michael (Jennifer), and his grandchildren Claudia, Hailey, Reagan, and Lawrence Rock. He is also survived by a treasured extended family of sisters-in-law (Cathy and Theresa), cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Network or Saint Peter’s in the Woods Food Pantry in memory of Larry’s giving spirit; see the links below.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Saint Peter’s in the Woods (5911 Fairview Woods Dr, Fairfax Station, VA 22039) on Saturday, August 15 at 3 PM.