Larry Roof

James "Larry" Roof of Asheville, N.C. went to his Heavenly Home on December 1, 2020.
Larry grew up in Columbia, S.C.  and was the only child of James Gordon and Edna 
Blume Roof who preceded him in death.  Larry was also preceded in death by his first wife
Phyllis Ann Randall Roof.

Larry was a proud Clemson Tiger.  He became an architect.  While at Clemson 
Larry sang in the Men's Octet and the choir.   His favorite thing to do was marching with the
Pershing Rifle Team.                  

His first job was drawing all the streets in Columbia, S.C.  After that assignment, Larry was
certain he could have drawn directions to anywhere USA.  While studying at Clemson, Larry 
worked summers at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, N,C,  Larry loved Asheville
and always said he would retire to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
While working at Ridgecrest; Larry met his first wife Phyllis Ann Randall of Cincinnati, Ohio.
They were married in December 1961 at Christmastime and moved to Clinton, Mississippi for
to study at Mississippi State University after Larry finished his studies, he had an appointment at 
at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.  He was accepted at Baylor to earn his higher level degrees 
 and to become a Professor of Technical Theatre. 

In Waco Larry and Phyllis purchased a Southern Victorian home on the edge of the campus.  
Larry loved the house at the campus and had a lot of fun with this home (a fixer-upper).
Ten years ago Larry visited Baylor University and found the Victorian house was no longer
there and he did not recognize the campus.

After a few years in Texas Larry moved to Kentucky and was a Theatre Professor at Morehead 
State University in Morehead, Kentucky. Upon completion of his work in Kentucky, Larry 
decided to visit Columbia, S.C. and decided he loved a beautiful farm in Lexington, S.C. After
 purchasing the farm he decided to have a Faire. He researched the week of best weather there and 
it was the first week of October when The Faire was held and offered teaching of lost crafts.  They had 
potters, weavers, candle makers, basket weavers, bread making baked in brick ovens.  Every year 
the Clemson Square Dance team performed the art of all kinds of Square Dancing.  Homemade jams 
and jellies were served with the homemade bread and sassafras tea,  All participants were dressed in
 period costumes.  People from all over the South looked forward to October and the Faire.
The Faire was named The Sparkleberry Faire after the  beautiful Sparkleberry Tree that grows in the South.

In 1995 Larry did move to Asheville and became a Professor at Warren Wilson University.  Larry was a 
member of the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church.  He was Chairman of the Board of Deacons and 
served his Church well.

Larry was a member of St. Pauls United Methodist Church where he was a Trustee and served on many
church committees.  

Larry worked on a variety of projects to better the lives of differently abled children.  He especially enjoyed 
the older children.  At a Board meeting for Arts for Developmental Disabled Children he met Annette
Robinson Hatley.  Larry and Annette taught the Arts at the Public Library in Black Mountain, N.C.  Larry 
and Annette were married several years later in 2003.  

Larry was owner of Roof Ceramics and his porcelain figurines of all kinds of cherubs were 
sold worldwide,  Larry owned a large display of all his wares at the Atlanta Trade Center.  He also owned a 
showroom in Los Angeles, California and Dallas, Texas.

Larry was truly a Southern Gentleman, with a heart of gold.  He was always an advocate for Developmentally
Disabled People.  His favorite thing was giving to others and he never expected any payback.  He was loved 
dearly by his family and friends.  He stayed in contact with his friends from college in S.C. and Minnesota.

Those left behind to mourn the loss of this illustrative man are his loving wife Annette Robinson, a daughter
Dee Roof and husband J. Paul Raymond of Kansas City, MO, Twin sons Shannon and Shawn Roof, Step-
daughters Sonja Raynette Roof who preceded Larry in death,  Marne' Hunnicutt and husband Troy Hunnicutt
of Asheville, N.C., one grandson Johnathan Dylan Davis. 

The family wishes to thank the Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center for their commitment and kindness 
to Mr. Roof and his family.

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