Larry R. Marler, 76, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on September 21, 2019, just short of his 77th birthday.
He was born in north Chattanooga and raised on the banks of the Tennessee River. His playground and front yard growing up would later become known as Coolidge Park.
As a youngster, he moved with his family to Huntington Park, CA. There he began his love of all things automotive, raced drag cars, and fixed them up to be as fast as possible.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Mahan as a postal clerk. After Vietnam, he returned home to north Chattanooga where he worked alongside his father, his best friend, as an ASE-certified auto mechanic.
Unsure if his path would be in his hometown or back in California, his future was cemented when he met the love of his life while changing her punctured tire. He became owner/operator of Cherokee Boulevard Gulf and was widely regarded to be the best carburetor man in the city. An honest auto mechanic is worth his weight in gold, and many trusted him to repair their vehicles reliably and with integrity. He was often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Cherokee Boulevard.
In later years, he was a member of Hickory Valley Christian Church and notably was baptized into the Lord on June 15, 2019 at the age of 76.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Marler and Gladys Bell Marler, his wife of 46 years, Brenda Johnson Marler, and older brother, Norman (Jo) Blanks.
He is survived by his sister, Vivian (John) Love of Garden Grove, Ca.; brother, Ron (Debbie) Marler of Medford, Or.; son, Ben (Beth) Marler of Chapel Hill, Tn.; daughter, Evonne (Andy) Kendle of Chattanooga; cherished granddaughters, Mary Ella, Charlotte, and Susanna Marler and Maggie and Annie Kendle; cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank his close friend Randy McCarter for all his help in recent years and Dr. William Bates and the staff of Memorial Ooltewah for their loving care and their great efforts to keep him out of the hospital.
A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel and again on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 1-2 p.m. at Hickory Valley Christian Church.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. at Hickory Valley Christian Church with Pastor Jack Dyer officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
Arrangements are held by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com