Larry Boswell

Larry Revelle Boswell, age 80 of Cookeville passed from this life Saturday morning, January 23, 2021 at home with his wife and son by his side. He was born Friday, March 1, 1940 at Mayland, Cumberland County, TN, the son of Rufus Edward (Ed) and Beryl Wightman Boswell. The family moved from Cumberland County to Cookeville in 1946. Larry attended the 7th Street School and Capshaw School before graduating from Cookeville Central High in 1958. A few days after graduation he boarded a bus on Cedar Street and left for Fort Jackson, South Carolina to report for basic training. His mother had signed for him to enlist in the Tennessee Army National Guard when he was still 17. He returned from Fort Jackson and started working at his parent's business. He also enrolled at Tennessee Polytechnic and registered for classes. In the summer of 1959 Larry was at Echo Valley Swimming Pool with two of his buddies when they met two girls from Sparta. His buddies asked for dates with the Sparta girls, and one of the girls said she had a little sister she could introduce to Larry. So the three Cookeville boys headed to Sparta and Larry was introduced to Vivian Johnson. A romance blossomed and on Larry's 21st birthday on March 1, 1961, and two months before Vivian's high school graduation, they found their way to Ringgold, Georgia and tied the knot. Later that summer with a new wife and a baby on the way, Larry decided it was time to move on from the family business. August 1961, on the same day, Larry received two offers of employment, one with General Telephone Company of the Southeast, the second with the Army Corp of Engineers at Center Hill Dam. He accepted the offer with General Telephone. He started at the bottom, literally, as a lineman setting poles and stringing cable. He enjoyed the open air and strenuous work, commenting years later that he never had a problem falling asleep at night with that job. He wore many hats over the years with GTE, attending many schools, staying abreast of new technology in the telecommunications industry, and assuming greater responsibilities with every promotion. His last assignment was Project Administrator responsible for coordination of the central office conversions to fiber-optic technology in Tennessee, Western Kentucky, and Northern West Virginia. Larry was proud of his hometown and wanted to make a difference with his community involvement. He was a past president of the Cookeville Civitan Club, a past president of the Putnam County Red Cross, and a past president of the Putnam County Shrine Club. He was a member of Cookeville Freewill Baptist Church and was a past deacon. Larry had a sense of adventure and wanted to see as much of the country as possible. He earned his Private Pilot license in 1982 and purchased his first Cessna 150. He truly enjoyed a bluebird sky and taking family and friends up for an aerial view of the countryside. He later upgraded to a Cessna 172 with a full radio package. He continued his flight training and soon earned his instrument rating. He and Vivian enjoyed flying to Panama City Beach for fresh seafood and returning the same day. He was a huge Tennessee Volunteer football fan and enjoyed flying from Cookeville to Knoxville Downtown Island Airport to avoid the gameday traffic snarls. After retirement in May 1993 his focus turned to his passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He loved leading other riders on the twisty two-lane roads of the Cumberland Plateau and the mountains of East Tennessee. He was especially fond of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Larry made many cross-country trips with close friends who shared his passion for the open roads. He had rode in the contiguous 48 states as well as Canada. He loved nature and the outdoors: hunting, fishing, hiking, camping . . . He was a proud Tennessean, often saying "we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful state." He truly enjoyed helping others. Whenever someone called with a problem or needing help, he never asked why, never said no . . . He only asked "Where are you?" and "What do I need to bring?" He strove for perfection in everything. He always said "Do your best" and "Be the best you can." He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years: Vivian Johnson Boswell; and son: Michael Boswell; brother: Maurice Boswell; all of Cookeville, several cousins, nieces and nephews; and many friends. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by sisters: Joyce Marie Boswell Whitefield and Gleama Kay Boswell Freeman; and brother Huey Wayne Boswell. A graveside service and interment with Military Honors for Larry were held Wednesday, January 27th at 1:00 p.m. at Phillips Cemetery in Algood. Rev. Gary Farris and Rev. Seth Price officiated. His family received friends Tuesday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Social distancing and the use of masks were appreciated. Active Pallbearers were nephews: Gene Bilbrey, Shane Boswell, Bryan Freeman, Michael Parker, Carl Whitefield, Don Whitefield, Jonathan Williams. Honorary Pallbearers were Don Jones, Roy Helms, Shirley Wassom, Paul Young, Don Buckner, Wayne Burton, Carl Sells, John Ramsey, Frank Ramsey. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.