WILMINGTON — Larry Lee English, age 76, of Wilmington and formerly of Rose Hill went home to be forever with Jesus on July 20, 2026, after a very short illness.
He was born on December 16, 1949, on the US Army Base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to the late Jack Stacy and Leola English. Larry was also preceded in death by his brother Robert English, maternal grandparents Robert Henry and Idella Jones and paternal grandparents Stacy and Artinecia English.
Larry proudly served his country in the 237th Engineer Battalion of the United States Army as an Atomic Demolition Munition specialist. He was a life-long member of Corinth Baptist Church in Teachey, NC.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his best friend and wife of 27 years Lisa Phifer English; brothers Richard English, Michael English and his wife Joyce and Charles English and his wife Joan; and numerous nieces, nephews extended family and friends that loved Larry dearly.
Larry was a kind and gentle man who loved his family with all his heart. As a child, he excelled in school and especially enjoyed history and reading. Born into a military family, Larry attended Georgia Military Academy where he received an associate degree. He joined the Army and served our country both in the states and in Germany two different times. He was an instructor for young men in the field of ADM (dismantling bombs and explosive devices) at Fort Belvoir. He served his country for seven years and truly loved it.
After an honorable discharge, Larry went to work with USDA Farm Service Agency in Kenansville as a Program Technician. He had great work ethics and was a fair and honest man. During his years at USDA Farm Service, he met many men and women who became great friends throughout the years.
Larry was a single man until he met Lisa Phifer in 1998 in Gatlinburg, TN at the age of 46. They fell deeply in love and were married one year lateror Both Larry and Lisa loved the movie “White Christmas”. Larry loved it for the army theme and Lisa loved it for “all that snow” and the Christmas cheer. They decided to pattern their wedding as the one on “White Christmas” movie. Larry and Lisa called it their ‘Destination Wedding’. They went to Vermont where the movie pictured, found them a nice Bed and Breakfast and was married on Christmas Eve – just like the movie. Larry loved Lisa and took good care of her until he became sick himself. He and Lisa were deeply involved in Wounded Warrior Project Battalion at Camp LeJune throughout the years.
In addition to Larry being a loving and faithful husband, he enjoyed watching plants grow and spending time with family and friends. He was a quiet, humble man who would give the shirt off his own back to anyone who needed it. He will surely be missed.
You may share your memories and send condolences to Larry’s family here.
