Lemuel Lawrence “Larry” Houchins, Jr. of Jackson, passed away peacefully on October 26 in Jackson from complications after a stem cell transplant. He was 72.
Born in Vicksburg, Larry graduated from H. V. Cooper High School in 1971 and went on to attend Ole Miss, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1975.
At Ole Miss, Larry was deeply involved in campus life. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, a student equipment manager for the Ole Miss football team, and a proud member of the M-Club, a connection to the athletics community that would remain important to him throughout his life.
Larry’s love for Ole Miss never faded. He remained active in alumni affairs, serving two terms on the Ole Miss Alumni Association Board of Directors and as President of the District 8 Alumni Club. He remained involved in the Ole Miss M-Club, where he served on the Board of Directors, and as President of the Central Mississippi M-Club Alumni Association.
After college, he moved to Jackson where he met and married the love of his life Pamela Palmer in 1980. They had two sons, Palmer and Peyton, who he loved dearly, always prioritizing coaching and attending their numerous sporting activities, going on Boy Scouts camping trips, watching Peyton’s many bands perform, and traveling as a family.
After moving to Jackson, Larry began what would become a remarkable four-decade career in professional association management. In 1980, he was appointed Executive Director of The Mississippi Bar, a position he held for 37 years until his retirement in 2017.
Larry’s service extended far beyond the Bar itself. He was a two-time President of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives, where he also received the organization’s Outstanding Association Executive Award. Nationally, he was a member of the National Association of Bar Executives, which honored him with its highest distinction, the Bolton Award, for professionalism and achievement. In 2017, The Mississippi Bar recognized Larry’s enduring impact with its Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his decades of devotion to the public, the profession, and the administration of justice.
A man of deep faith, Larry was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, serving as Deacon, Chairman of the Diaconate, and Elder. He gave generously of his time through many committees, including Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center, where he chaired the Board of Directors. Larry also supported the First Presbyterian Day School as a Board Member and President of the Crusader Club, and he was proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Food Network.
Larry served on the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Christian Center and helped with the merger with Mission First. In 2012, Peyton’s House was established as a ministry for middle school boys in honor and memory of Larry and Pamela’s son, Peyton. Larry was a strong advocate for the legal ministries of Mission First, and after his retirement he gave great leadership as a member of the legal advisory board of directors.
Larry was also a three-time cancer survivor, whose strength, optimism, and faith inspired all who knew him. Through each challenge, he faced adversity with grace and gratitude, always maintaining his steady spirit and sense of humor. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the entire team at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their compassionate and expert care, as well as the dear family and friends who have walked alongside them during this journey.
Those who knew Larry remember his calm demeanor, bright smile, easy laughter, genuine kindness, and insatiable sweet tooth. He was a steady leader, a loyal friend, and a man who lived by his values: faith, family, fairness, and service to others. Although he experienced great professional success over the course of his life, nothing held a candle to the joy of becoming “Pops” to his grandsons, the title and role he cherished most.
Larry is survived by his wife Pamela Houchins, son Palmer Houchins and daughter-in-law Cathryn, grandsons Ren and Giles Houchins of Atlanta, sister Nancy Williams (Robert) of Leawood, Kan., sister-in-law Penny Long (Randy) of Corinth, brother-in-law Pat Palmer (Nancy) of Corinth, numerous loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and a wide circle of dear friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lem and Louise Houchins, and his son, Peyton Houchins.
A celebration of Larry’s life was held on Thursday, October 30, at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to Peyton’s House, ℅ Mission First, PO Box 250, Jackson, MS 39205 or Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center ℅ First Presbyterian Church, Jackson.
Pallbearers include Hall Bailey, Barry Cannada, Jimmy Hood, Carey Johnston, Stephen Kruger, Rob Love, Charlie Molpus, Buster McVey, John McVey, and Cal Wells. Honorary pallbearers include Richard Aiken, Robert Arnold, Jack Blackburn, Cliff Ford, John Neill, Jim Poole, Bill Sneed, and Greg Wood.
