Rev. Larry M. Cantu

Larry Michael Cantu passed away on March 27, 2026 at the age of 89.  Larry was born on June 20,1936 in Saginaw, Michigan, to Hilario and Leona Cantu.  Larry had an older sister, Irene, and two younger brothers, Jerry and Roger.  Larry’s beloved wife of 64 years, Gail Catherine, passed away in the fall of 2025.

Larry is survived by his daughter Cathy and her husband Joe, as well as his daughter Beth and her husband Chip.  Larry and Gail are blessed with seven grandchildren; these are Louis, Edward (wife Emily), Nathan, Noelle (husband Dalton), Alaina, Maelyn, and Samuel.  They have two great-granddaughters, Amelia and Charlotte.

Larry graduated from Capital University in 1961.  He felt the call to serve the Lord and attended Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.  While serving his pastoral internship at Steward Avenue Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he met his future wife, Gail. They were married on June 3, 1961. 

From the beginning, and throughout their lives, Larry and Gail shared a love of the ministry and serving others.  Their first church was Grace Lutheran Church in Petersburg, West Virginia.  In 1967, they moved to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mars, Pennsylvania.  After fourteen years there, Larry became the Head Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Falls Church, Virginia.  Larry officially retired from the ministry in 2000.  Following retirement, he and Gail moved back to Petersburg, West Virginia.  Not long after their arrival in Petersburg, Larry again heard the call to serve; he became the interim pastor at Grace Lutheran Church where his ministry had begun almost forty years earlier.  During those years, Larry frequently travelled to churches in West Virginia and western Virginia to preach, counsel and sing as a visiting pastor.  Their beautiful home in Petersburg was always open to all.  Members of the family fondly called it the Vacation House. 

In 2017 Larry and Gail made their final move to The Village at Orchard Ridge, a Lutheran Senior Retirement community in Winchester, Virginia.

Larry’s life was filled with song, service and a love of God and family.  He was blessed with a beautiful voice and loved singing.  Larry was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader.  He and Gail enjoyed walking and sharing daily devotions together.  

Larry was active in Cursillo's Movement, Voyageurs Lutheran Ministries, Appalachian Ministries, Prison Ministries, and Hospice Volunteering.  Larry frequently mentored Lutheran Pastoral Interns.

Larry is greatly loved and will be deeply missed.  He touched many lives and will be warmly remembered.

The family will conduct a Celebration of Life service on May 14, at 11am in the Chapel at Orchard Ridge Village in Winchester, Virginia. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.