Larry Brewer passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. He was born Feb. 4, 1927 to Maude Williams Brewer and William Elbert Brewer in Cardwell, Missouri.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in-law Dr. James F. Gramling.He is survived by his wife of 63 years Bette Brewer; son and daughter in law, Bill and Diane Brewer; grandson, Will (Meredith) Brewer; granddaughters, Shaw Brewer, Neely (Britt) Camp, Ali (Casey) Bean; sister in law, Martha Gramling; nephew, Jim (Lacey) Gramling; nieces, Beth (Jim) Sanders and Sara (Robbie) Van Scoy.He graduated from Cardwell High School at the age of 17 and enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Officers Training Corp and was enrolled into the Army's Engineering Program located at the University of Wyoming in Larime. As the World War escalated on the Japanese Front these young soldiers enrolled in the programs were called in to active combat duty. He was deployed as a part of the invasionary forces bound to the Island of Japan. He always joked, although tongue and cheek, that President Harry Truman saved his life by his decision to drop the Atomic Bomb. He was in the early forces to occupy Japan after the surrender. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant.Upon his return home to Cardwell his father had suffered a severe stroke that left him bed ridden. He was immediately thrust into the family's oil business while continuing his education.He graduated from Arkansas State College in 1951. While enrolled at Arkansas State he was active in the Student Government Association and served as President of his Junior Class. He was also elected President of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was a member of the national search committee to build its National Headquarters in Memphis.After graduation he returned fulltime to the family business, Brewer Brothers, which at that time consisted of three service stations located on various Arkansas/ Missouri State Lines, and a bulk gasoline and oil business serving area farmers and those that burned kerosene for their heating needs.a