Larry Eugene Glidewell

Coleman Funeral Home of Southaven Larry Eugene Glidewell, aged 75, of Southaven, Mississippi passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Memphis, surrounded by his loving family. A graveside will be held in his honor, at West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery (4000 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38125). A celebration of life will immediately follow graveside services. Coleman Funeral Home of Southaven (626 Star Landing Road East, Southaven, MS) is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Glidewell was born in Corinth, MS on August 7, 1948, to Jessie and Lessie Austin, with a hardworking and persevering spirit. After his parents’ deaths at the age of five, he spent his childhood with his adoptive family and working on the family farm. Leaving the farm at the tender age of thirteen, he changed tires in exchange for a room at the tire shop. Once he was able, he joined the military. Larry was a proud veteran of the United States Army and loyally served his country during the Vietnam War. A recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Medal, he could most aptly be described as a fighter and survivor. During the Vietnam War, Larry was captured by enemy forces, but managed to escape while in transit to a Prisoner of War Camp. Mr. Glidewell was also aboard a military vessel that exploded at sea. He floated in the ocean until rescue, where he was the only survivor, and was taken to a hospital in Okinawa, Japan to recover. Throughout his lifetime, he has survived events which should have killed him, including major wrecks, heart attacks, and even terminal lung cancer from the use of Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War. Through all his trials, Larry never stopped working to provide for his family, nor did he lose his funny and jokester personality. Mr. Glidewell enjoyed spending his time outdoors and always encouraged anyone to enjoy the world around him. Anytime you were with him, you were laughing! He loved NASCAR, Jeopardy, and working in the garden. His hustle work ethic has already been passed on to his grandson who enjoyed fixing things together and working on cars. He is survived by his beloved wife, Denise Glidewell; his cherished daughter, Brittany (Matthew) Hendricks; and best buddy and grandson, Parker James Hendricks, all of Southaven; two sisters, Helen Crabb and Lynn Price, both of Corinth, MS; his brother Donald Austin of Athens, Greece; his son and grandson, Michael and Davis Glidewell; and his daughter and grandson Michelle and Evion Mensi. He will be missed by his family and loyal friends, who he considered family and loved him so dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Lessie Austin; his two brothers, James Austin and Ray Austin; and his three sisters, Vela Chamble, Kathryn Frazier, and Doris Glidewell. The family requests that memorials be made to a Go Fund Me account for Mr. Glidewell’s celebration of life and burial, (https://www.gofundme.com/f/larry-e-glidewells-celebration-of-life). Expressions of condolences may be left on Mr. Larry Eugene Glidewell’s Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com (http://www.colemanfuneralhome.com/)

Larry Eugene Glidewell

August 7, 1948 - March 28, 2024

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