Scott Schaneville
This is my tribute writing to Larry New. I hope this inspires all of us to show kindness to all who struggle in life and for the people we love strive to love them just an itsy bitsy more each and every day.
When I first met Larry just a few short years ago, this Auburn boy went into an Arkansas Razorback Universe I was not prepared for. He was living with his brother Ronnie at the time, and I couldn't move an inch in their home without a hog head or Razorback placard reminding me I was in Hog Country.
It was with instant relief when Larry turned to me with a big smile on his face and said, "don't worry boy, we love all SEC schools in this house except Alabama!!!" That was music to my ears. I soon after learned that his real passion was with LSU from time living in Monroe and of course the Saints! Although I've lived in Tampa for 27 years, I was born in New Orleans and I never lost my love for the 'Aints. Although we both didn't live in New Orleans, we loved our Saints!!! It was an instant connection I share with Larry to this day.
From then on, every Saturday morning during football season as early as 6am sometimes he would call or text me to ask... was I ready for some football! He knew every team schedule, time, who was playing who, what the implications of the wins and loses were of the day in the SEC and how to get under my skin if Auburn was playing either LSU or the hogs! Our common bond, however, was beating Alabama so regardless of our teams play that given day, routing against Bama made the calls and texts the most fun between us!!
One afternoon after his hogs were losing pretty bad, I told him it wasn't over yet to my reply he text "Yeah right! Let me sell u some oceanfront property in Ariz. Hahahaha. But It's almost time! I hope Alabama gets their butt kicked!!"
He loved the autumn and the build up to each weekend and the games on the field was a bond we shared. It energized me each weekend and he brought me to a very happy place.
Then there was Sundays. And that day was all about the Saints. We didn't have many happy wins but that didn't matter. What was important was the connection between us during each and every game regardless of we're watching together or miles apart.
Larry, Ronnie, and Terri came to Tampa in 2013 for his birthday and we were able to go watch the Saints playing the Bucs. It was his first NFL game he ever attended and with back pain and all he went to the stadium with all the family. It was a great day and weekend on a boat for my birthday and at the beach where he got to see palm trees for the first time in his life he said one morning!
Larry was also my arch nemesis in an online trivia app called True or False. He was the only person I played that I didn't have a winning record against. I was 41-45 with him. He loved to win and would let you know it too!!
But most important, Larry had a deep Love for his daughters. The reconnection with them brought absolute joy into his life. He was so thankful for his girls and was overcome with happiness for the time they spent with him in his last years. It was such a pleasure to watch them joke and rib each other.
I believe Larry who affectionately called himself an ole salty dog, thought of his children everyday and if circumstances were different, he would have made sure he could have been more involved in their lives. What I know for sure is that he loves them with all his heart.
Fast forward to this past Sunday where we laid Him to rest next to his momma in McGehee where Ronnie said they "ran the roads" and learned how to get things done and become young men. Well guess what?! Larry wasn't finished "running the roads!" Brother Ronnie got a flat and that flat tire didn't give out till the Van was parked at Larry's final resting place.
Larry, I want you to know that I will look after and care for Stephanie till my dying day. We will all look after your grandson Elijah and tell him all the fun and loving stories about his grandfather as he grows to be a strong young man.
We will all stay close to you best friend and beloved brother Ronnie and your amazing sister in law Terri. We look so forward to creating more memories with them on trips and visits together.
As you look down on us, know we all cherish our memories and particularly with a smile on my face, from this day forward I will always think of you after I hear or say, "Who dat?!!"
God bless your soul and peace be with you.
Scott Schaneville
Wednesday July 12, 2017 at 1:18 pm