Laurence (Larry) Mayhew Flanders, a resident of Rockingham County for more than 15 years, died on Thursday, Jan. 13, at home with his family. He was 68.

Laurence was born to Mildred and Robert N. Flanders of the Vineyard on June 16, 1942. He was the eldest of five children. He left home in 1958 at the age of 16 and shortly after, began studying the bible. At a bible study group he met Lynn, who became his wife on Sept. 1, 1962.

He remained a student of the bible his entire life and gave public discourses to upwards of 100 people. There was nothing Larry enjoyed more than a good discussion of his favorite book, the bible. No point was too obscure or character too insignificant to him.

Throughout his life, he worked at many different jobs, yet no one type of work could hold his interest for long. He wanted to know how any and everything mechanical worked and once he understood it, was ready for a new challenge. He did mechanic work, carpentry, auto body repair, commercial fishing, boat building, furnace and oil burner repair, and he even managed a horse farm. He drew up designs for everything imaginable on napkins and scrap paper. Learning new things was his lifelong passion and as a result he could speak intelligently on almost any topic no matter how esoteric or eclectic. Conversations with him were also fascinating because his thought process was always outside the box.

Larry and Lynn lived in a number of different places, including Cape Cod, Phoenix, Ariz., and Martha’s Vineyard, before finally settling in Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lynn T. Flanders of Harrisonburg, Va.; a daughter, Laurie Ann Boisvert and her husband Kenneth Boisvert of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico; sons Luke Robert Flanders and his wife Robin Flanders of Harrisonburg, Va., Leland Jehiah Flanders of Norfolk, Va., and Levi David Flanders of Core, W.Va.; his grandchilren, Anthony Flanders, Felicia Flanders, Monique Boisvert, Spencer Boisvert, Amy Flanders, Kameryn Boisvert and Alex Flanders; his siblings Robert S. Flanders, Luisann Bollin, Franklin Flanders, and Carl Flanders. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lynette Flanders in May 1978.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Harrisonburg, Va.

The family appreciates the incredible love and support it has received from the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The family would also like to thank all the people who had a hand in easing his final days, including the staff of DaVita Dialysis Center, Hospice (who are still working with family), RMH, and Drs. Arthur, Overby, Waligora and Life Care of New Market.

From John 5:28, 29 “. . . the hour is coming when all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”

Online condolences may be sent to the family at grandlefuneralhome.com.