Larry Paul Crain Sr.

Larry Paul Crain, Sr., a faithful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and respected entrepreneur entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ on April 12, 2023, at the age of 81. Born on October 23, 1941, in Crosby, Arkansas, to Paul Welch Crain and Ouita Harrison Crain, Larry spent his early years in the small town of Searcy, Arkansas. It was there in junior high that he met and fell in love with the beautiful Miss Janett McNiel. After graduating from Searcy High School in 1959, Larry began his studies in accounting at the University of Arkansas. In 1961, he married the love of his life, Janett McNiel. Larry went on to earn a degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1963 and immediately beginning his career as a CPA at Peat Marwick and Mitchell. That same year their first son, Larry Jr., was born. God later blessed Larry and Janett with two other sons, Marc Thurston Crain (1966) and Christopher Harrison Crain (1972). Larry was a true entrepreneur, his first business venture being that of selling “Crain's Handy Dandy Hand Cleaner” to small mom and pop stores in the late 1950s. After working for three years in public accountancy, Larry continued his entrepreneurial pursuits by joining his father, Paul, in 1966 to create a direct sales company, Crain Sales Company, Inc., in Searcy. In the early days, Larry drove a paneled van throughout Arkansas and western Tennessee, peddling a diverse variety of items from auto parts to pantyhose. As a young boy, Larry Jr. would proudly tell his friends that his dad was a truck driver. Larry and Paul’s peddling business morphed and grew into a successful auto parts warehouse distributorship operated as Kargo Automotive Warehouses and associated Karpro Auto Parts retail stores. Larry’s brother-in-law, Danny Lesley, joined in 1977. Larry and son, Larry Jr., purchased the first family auto dealership in 1990. In 2000 the Kargo and Karpro operations were sold to O'Reilly Auto Parts at which point Larry, Larry Jr., and Chris pivoted to focus on the family’s growing auto dealership businesses in Arkansas, giving birth to the now familiar “Crain Team.” Larry was an avid Razorback fan and was passionate about professional sports. Always the competitor, he brought ABA professional basketball to Arkansas, winning the 2005 ABA World Championship with his Arkansas RimRockers. Larry was always up for a game of golf with his lifelong buddies and played a mean game of HORSE. Larry loved traveling and spending times of respite in Destin, Florida. Larry was a man who gave back to his community in many ways. He supported UAMS, the Arkansas Miracle League, Searcy Friends of the Library Foundation, First Methodist Church Searcy, as well as many other service organizations. Larry is survived by his three sons, Larry Jr. & Joy Crain and their children, Chandler & Kelli, Chase & Casey, Carrington & Dylen, Christian, Cenzington, Covington, and Cruze of Little Rock, Marc Crain of Big Bear Lake, California, Chris & Jennifer Crain, and their children, Camryn and Caroline of Conway. Larry is also survived by his 6 greatgrandchildren, Stellar, Saige, Jones, Jack Titus, Cannon, Rocco, and his soon to be born 7th greatgrandchild, Steelman. Additionally, Larry is survived by Ms. Terry Parrott, a special and committed companion who was by his side until the very end. Larry was an esteemed figure in his community and he will be missed. Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life in fellowship and worship on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, with visitation from 10:00 am until 1:00 PM at First Methodist Church in Searcy. The funeral will follow in the First Methodist Church sanctuary at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a donation to The Sunshine School or to Jacob’s Place, both in Searcy, Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

Larry Paul Crain Sr.

October 23, 1941 - April 12, 2023