Joseph Larry Courson

  Larry Courson, age 69 of Pearson, Ga. passed away Monday, August 1, 2016 at Satilla Care Center in Waycross, Ga. following an extended illness.             Larry was the son of the late Tavell and Jessie Belle Smith Courson, born November 16, 1946. He graduated from Atkinson County High School in 1964. After attending South Georgia College for a short time, he joined the United States Air Force in 1966, stationed at Warner Robins, Ga. while it was still a SAC base, becoming a Staff Sergeant in less than three years. He was the lead mechanic on a B-52 bomber, and won a “Golden Bomber” Award. He gave up his career in the Air Force in order to help his father, who was the County Surveyor. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Terry Courson. In 1970, Larry married Paulette Schultze Courson. They had two sons, Joey Courson of Pearson, Ga. and Walter Courson and wife Donna Renee of Pearson, Ga. In 1971, they moved to Waycross, Ga. where Larry worked for International Harvester. After moving back to Pearson in 1974, Larry helped his father farm. He was also survived by a sister, Linda Sue Harper of Foley, Al. and granddaughter, Amber Nicole Noonan. Several nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.             In 1981, Larry took the step to open his own business, Courson Diesel Service and later, Courson Land Clearing, which he ran until his son, Walter took over the business when Larry could no longer do so because of his health. He was very inventive, building in 1971, the first hydraulic log splitter, which, although he failed to patent it, was quite an accomplishment. Later, in his land clearing and tree planting business, he invented and built a tree planter, also. Larry and his family were very active in the First Baptist Church with the Youth Programs, helping take the youth to Six Flags, Ichetuknee Springs, Fl. and other trips involving the youth, although he remained a member of Union Hill Congregational Christian Church. He was also a Boy Scout Leader in the late 1970’s, and was faithful attending Walter’s football, baseball, and basketball games and Joey’s Drama Club and Y-Club activities while they were in school. He was a kind, caring man, and would at times, work on people’s equipment, knowing he might never see profit from it. He would say, “If his truck’s not running, he can’t make money to feed his family, Babe.” When his granddaughter, Karagahn was born, she held his heart. He would often take her to the Dairy Queen for a strawberry sundae, take her bicycling, and on trips to add to her “rock collection” when she was a toddler, and as she grew. Larry loved fishing, although he rarely got to go, the larger his business grew, and he passed that love on to Karagahn.   Funeral Services for Mr. Courson were held at 11:00 A. M., Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Sweetwater Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. Special music included “In the Garden” rendered by the attending congregation with Candace Brown accompanying at the piano. Soft music for the Prelude and the Postlude was played by Candace Brown pianist. The interment followed in Sweetwater Cemetery.   Serving as active pallbearers were: Jimmy Metts, Dukes Delk, Kyle Starr, Joe Wilkinson, Harry Johns and Hampton Giddens.   Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.