Swainsboro,

Larry Thomas Torrance, age 86, of Swainsboro GA, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Community Hospice in Vidalia after an extended illness.

One of five children born to the late Charles William Torrance and the late Margaret Elene Maroney Torrance, Larry was born in Milledgeville, GA on September 5, 1929. He attended Georgia Military College for high school and one year of college where he made the rank of Lieutenant. He was active in 4-H and was the national winner in Soil Conservation in 1946. In the fall of 1947, he transferred to the University of Georgia where he lettered twice each in cross country and track (half-mile and mile). He was Infantry ROTC Battalion Commander (Lt. Col.), and very active in BSU, Ag Club, Ag Hill Council, and Collegiate 4-H Club. While in college he received numerous honors and scholastic recognitions as follows: Phi Kappa Phi, Blue Key, Omicron Delta Kappa Society Leadership, AGHON, Scabbard and Blade, and Who’s Who.

He graduated in June of 1950 with a B.S degree in General Agriculture and began his career with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service as an Assistant County Agent in Telfair County and then in Colquitt County. In 1951 he went to serve in the Army Infantry and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War which ended while he was stationed there. He was promoted to First Lieutenant before returning to civilian employment with the Extension Service in Tift County. In 1953 he became County Agent in Coffee County, and in 1961-62 served as a Cotton Special Agent and Cotton Agronomist. He received his MS degree in Agronomy in 1962 and became District Agent Chairman in 1963 and moved to Athens. In 1970 he received his EdD in Adult Education and transferred to Statesboro to serve as District Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1973 until his retirement in 1984.

He was always active in church, was an ordained deacon, and taught a God in Nature segment to 4 year olds at Statesboro FBC after retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Swainsboro. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener and enjoyed playing basketball.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Adelia “Dee Dee” Lee.

Survivors include his wife of 63 1/2 years, Marjorie Rosser Torrance of Swainsboro; daughter, Mary Murray (David) of Richmond, VA; two sons, Phil Torrance (Lynn) of Swainsboro; Reid Torrance (Ronda) of Reidsville; brothers, Grady Torrance and Richard Torrance of Milledgeville; sister, Rachel Torrance of Monticello, GA; grandchildren, Eric Ruff, Austin Murray, Caitlin Murray, Chase Murray, Philip Torrance, Anna Torrance, Reena Torrance, Ty Torrance; step granddaughter, Nicole Murray; great grandchildren, Theodore Ruff, Alasdair Murray; step granddaughter, Madison Murray.

A memorial service will be held for Larry Thomas Torrance, 86, of Swainsboro on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church in Swainsboro, Georgia with Rev H. William Perry officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Swainsboro First Baptist Church building fund. First Baptist Church, 240 W Main St, Swainsboro, GA 30401.

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