October 22, 1940 – July 22, 2010 Memorial services for Larry L. Wassell, age 69, of Muenster, TX are scheduled for 7 pm on Friday, August 6, 2010, at Sacred Heart Community Center, Muenster, TXPastor Mike Tucker, Speaker/Director of Faith For Today will officiate. Scott Black of EmpowerU International will be providing the Eulogy.
Mr. Wassell died Thursday, July 22, 2010 as a result of an accident at his ranch in Muenster.
Larry was born October 22, 1940 in Indio, California to Wilma Lou McGee-Wassell and Joseph Maurice Wassell.
When Larry was two years of age he and his parents moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he attended Valley Grande Academy. He graduated high school in Tennessee. Larry never graduated from an accredited college but enriched his life by attending self improvement and self education classes. Larry was certified in numerous fields. He travelled extensively to pursue his interests in photography, scuba diving, flying, ranching, motorcycling, salt water and fresh water fishing, fly fishing, hunting, cooking, and gliding. He designed and built the worldâ??s only known â??Varmint Wagonâ? to help ranchers with prairie dog control.
After attending Nashville Auto and Body College in the early 60â??s, he opened Corvette Corner in Nashville, TN that specialized in Corvette restoration. He won several awards of excellence for his restorations. Larry was a private pilot, a flight instructor and commercial pilot and owned numerous planes during his life. He moved to Grand Prairie in 1968 where he was the pilot for Car Wash Corporation of America. He later started a business known as Car Wash Engineering and Service located in SW Ft. Worth. In the early 1970â??s Larry was an independent long haul trucker. He also became a factory rep for several leading auto repair equipment manufacturers. This led to a relationship with Gene Dahl who owned the Dahl Tool Company who sold his business to Larry upon his retirement. After many years in the tool business, his previous connections with the car wash industry led to his introduction to window film. His business, American Filter Film, became the largest window film distributor in the US for the industry. Larry was known as being innovative and respected for his business acumen. Larry wrote the ethics code for the International Window Film Association which is still in effect today.
In 1986 Larry was able to invest in a parcel of land in the Muenster area. From this initial purchase he expanded and developed Fish Creek Ranch. At the ranch he became involved in cattle raising and pecan harvesting. This ranch was Larryâ??s joy and passion and he was able to realize a life long dream before he died. Larry lived in many cities and towns, and he traveled the world as well. When Larry came to Muenster he found his home. He loved the land, trees, lake and animals. But even more he loved the Muenster community and was supportive of many organizations and their activities. He appreciated the inviting and accommodating attitude of the small business owners as he identified with their entrepreneurial spirit.
Larryâ??s vision for his life was realized through his core values of hard work, innovation, self development, conservation and generosity. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. His goodwill toward those in need is known to many.
Larry is survived by his wife Nancy, his faithful dog JJ Wassell, his daughter Renee and husband Scott, son Brett and his wife Karen, three grandchildren Amanda, Brandon and Kaylee. Also, his sisters, Suzanne Boyer and Joanne LaFever and brother-in-law Beecher; in-laws include Larry and Barbara Osborne, Mary Adams, Eunice Groschen, Bill Botz, Jeanne and Jack Brandon, and Polly and Paul Atkinson. He had many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents.
In his memory, donations may be made to the Home Hospice of Cooke County or the Volunteer Fire Department of Muenster.