Lawrence "Larry" Edward Holzer, Sr.

Lawrence “Larry” Edwards Holzer, Sr. passed from this life on January 8, 2021, to join his Heavenly Father and wife, Aquilla. Services will be held by Fr. Adrian Fischer, at St. Paschal Catholic Church, 711 N 7th Street in West Monroe, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 15, 2021, with a visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the service time. The family requests COVID-19 recommendations of wearing a mask be followed.

Pallbearers will be Cody Ibanez, Cole Wisenor, Jared Wisenor, Neil Newman, Mike McKey, and Martin Navarro.

Larry was born on January 24, 1934, in Haverhill Township, Minnesota, the oldest of 11 children, born to Byrl and Doris Holzer. Initially, the family resided on a Minnesota farm, but later moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he grew up, and early on developed a strong work ethic, selling newspapers at a young age. Larry graduated from Aquinas High School in 1952, and entered the United States Air Force. He was a veteran of the Korean War. After the war, Larry came to Selman Field on sagebrush maneuvers, and met his future wife, Aquilla Clarice Jones on a blind date with other people. Aquilla liked to tell the story she knew right away Larry was the one for her and asked him to dance. They were married in 6 months and shared 53 wonderful years together until her death. The couple made their home in Wisconsin for a brief time, but later moved to Louisiana to be with Aquilla’s father.

In 1960, Larry opened his business, Larry’s Gulf Service Station, later Larry’s Chevron in Monroe. While running the business, Larry also attended Northeast Louisiana Jr. College, majoring in Physics. With Larry’s outgoing personality who never met a stranger, and his generous, servant’s heart who always answered a request for help, his full-service station was a successful business. The station was a gathering place for people to visit, tell a joke or story, and there was always a row of chairs in front of the business with people passing the time of day. Larry won numerous awards with Gulf Oil and was one of the top dealers in the state. In later years, Larry’s son joined him in business. Larry was in business for 57 years, and his station was the last full-service station in the Twin Cities, closing in 2017. He had many loyal customers who would drive for miles as he was trustworthy and a man of his word.

Larry and Aquilla enjoyed family trips to Wisconsin and Florida, as well as traveling with family and friends all over the United States. Larry and Aquilla loved to dance and he served as past President of the Northeast Dance Club in Ouachita Parish. He received a Pacesetter Award and a Service Award from the Mayor of Monroe. Larry was a member of St. Paschal Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, AMVETS, and Catholic Order of Foresters. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and was always patient and easygoing, stating “everything was alright” even in the midst of chaos. Larry had a welcoming smile and kind words for everyone. He lived his life in service to others and was an inspiration to all.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Aquilla; sister, Ardith Holzer-Lezpona; in-laws, Bob Purdy, Mary Lou Holzer, William Murphy, and Charles and Cloteal Deland.

Survivors include his daughter, Patty Newman and husband Lane; his son, Larry Holzer, Jr. and wife Maribeth; grandchildren, Sarah Holzer, Autumn Ibanez (Cody), Jessica Wisenor (Cole), and Larry Holzer, III; great grandchildren, Astrid, Aidan and Ava Harris, Emma Wisenor, Noah and Charlie Ibanez, and Marcus and Tara Holzer; and siblings, Marlene Bremer (Mel), Grace Purdy, Joyce Murphy, Tom Holzer (Bonnie), Dennis Holzer (Debi), David Holzer (Jeanne), Chuck Holzer, Cheryl Teff (Tom), and Pam Mumaw (Tom).

Memorials may be made to Pilots for Patients or to St. Paschal Catholic Church.