Larry Eugene Fulsome Sr.
September 18, 1942 – November 24, 2025
The family of Larry Fulsome Sr. of Mesa, Arizona is saddened to announce his passing on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 83 years of age.
He was born in St. Charles, Missouri to his parents Wilbur (Bud) and Hazel Fulsome.
Larry and his family moved to Arizona when he was 14 years old.
At the age of 17, he was in a motorcycle accident and was told that he would never walk again. This accident was the cause of his fused knee, but he never let that slow him down.
On November 20, 1962, two days before Thanksgiving, Larry bought his 1957 Chevy Bel Air.
In 1963, while attending Business College, he met the love of his life, Lucille Halderman. In July of 1964, the two of them married.
In late ’63, Larry began working for Associated Grocers, and in 1984, Fleming Foods took over. Larry worked there 39 years, until he retired at age 57 when the company had filed for bankruptcy. Through the years, Larry and his family created many memories together in the ’57 Chevy. One memory, in 1966, was bringing his wife and newborn son, Larry Jr., home from the hospital. There were numerous road trips that spanned from California, Nevada, Colorado to New Mexico and countless car shows along the way.
Larry was a longtime member of Desert Classic Chevys and Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. For 63 years, he was a permanent fixture at car shows and cruises. It didn’t matter the day or time of the year. You could count on him being there. He appreciated “most” classic cars, “MOST.” But his favorite, as we all know, was his ’57, and he had no problem letting anyone know why it was better than that “other” year Chevy.
if you know, you know.
Whenever possible, when he was in California, he loved visiting Huntington Beach and soaking up the sun.
Some other hobbies he had were building model cars, up until he no longer could. He loved reading a good Western, Sci-Fi, or History novel. And he thoroughly loved spending time with his family and friends.
He was so proud of his oldest grandson, becoming a US Marine and he was excited to share and pass down family recipes to his youngest grandson, who is studying to be a chef one day. Talking to them about Star Wars and of course, sharing his love of cars with both of them. He looked forward to weekends going to car shows with his brother Kevin and his son Larry Jr. and planning his annual California road trip with his son.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Hazel Fulsome, his wife Lucille Fulsome, and two brothers, Les Fulsome and Kelly Fulsome.
He is survived by one son and a daughter in law – Larry Jr. and Kelly Fulsome, two grandsons and a granddaughter in law – Titus and Jess Fulsome and Taven Fulsome, one brother and sister-in-law – Kevin and Susan Fulsome, several nieces and nephews and countless friends.
The family would like to send their appreciation to everyone who came to visit Larry in the hospital and who reached out to their condolences.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for after the New Year. Please keep your eyes open for information on that soon.
Photos
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My condolences to the Fulsome Family.
I came to know Larry after I saw a letter he had sent to a car magazine back in the late 60’s. I had a ’57 Chevy at the time and sought his advice. The magazine sent my letter to him and we became long distance pen-pals. I was fortunate to be able to finally travel out to Arizona in 2023 and meet him. I wish I had done it sooner. Motor in Peace my Friend!
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a great co-worker at AG and Fleming. I will miss his dry humor and presence at the Fleming Retiree lunches. RIP Larry.
Will miss Larry very much. I met him when he came into our dental office and always park his beautiful car out front. Many plans that came in after his appointment would come about the beautiful car out front. Will miss his funny wit and sense of humor very much.🦷
Fulsome family my deepest condolences. Sending you tons of love, prayers for peace & hugs. May God give you peace & strength through this difficult time.
I came to know Larry while hosting Mesa Cars & Coffee. We could always count on him and his beautiful 57 Chevy to show up. We will miss him tremendously!
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I knew Larry and Lucille. I worked with her for many years. We were friends. Rest in Peace Larry. We always loved your 57🙏❤️. Love you, Terri Rosenlof
I met Larry in person several years after seeing his beautiful signature nearly every day for years. He worked for Fleming creating auditor claims, and I worked for a food broker receiving and processing/denying those claims. We met at a luncheon of food broker folks (at the Chinese restaurant downtown). When I realized he was THE Larry Fulsome of those audits, (owner of that beautiful flourished signature!), I was overjoyed to meet him! We became friends, and I visited with him quite a few times at his house. I would bring a sweet treat to eat and he would make tea. I moved my elderly mother here 1-1/2 years ago and I guess I got too busy to keep up with Larry. I will miss him greatly! He was a wonderful man.
Larry, Jr, Kelly, Kevin, Sue and families I was so sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. He was my cousin. His Mom was my Aunt Hazel and had her birthday on the same day as my Mom, Nelda. Kevin and my brother Tom and I are the only cousins now left of the grandchildren of John and Carrie May. Larry and I kept in touch over the last 10-15 years by email a few times a year. We both suffered from deteriorating eyesight and shared our grievances at no longer being able to drive ourselves. I remember Larry coming with his family back to Illinois to visit when I was a kid and I thought he was just the coolest cousin in the world – dressed all in black, with his hair slicked back and about 6 years older than me. Quite impressive! I also remember when he and Lou visited us after they were married and before Larry Jr. was born. I wish we had been able to get together in our old age and reminisce while looking at photos, but that was not to be. Please keep in touch and accept my condolences on the loss of your Dad/Brother. He was a good man, and I will miss our long distance sharing even if it didn’t happen often enough.