Laurance Masters Obituary

Laurance Edward "Larry" Masters, of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away peacefully in his home on October 25, 2025 surrounded by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Edward Masters and Evelyn Dorothy Sonn Masters and his brother, Richard Gordon Masters.
Larry was born on March 28, 1932 in Kearny, New Jersey, spending most of his formative years in Nutley, NJ where he was active in high school baseball and basketball and was inducted into the Nutley Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating from Nutley High School in June 1950, Larry attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he met his beloved wife of 71 years, Joyce Virginia Kirkpatrick, who also attended Penn. During college, Larry was a member of Beta Theta Pi and continued his athletic pursuits in basketball and baseball---once striking out 23 batters in a single game as a pitcher. Larry earned a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 and went on to receive his MBA from New York University in 1959.
His military service included two years of active duty from 1954 to 1956 in the U.S. Army's 159th Boat Battalion, based at Fort Eustis, Virginia. During this period, Larry and Joyce made Williamsburg, VA their home. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant and served in the Army Reserves until August 1962.
After relocating to Bound Brook, NJ, Larry and Joyce settled in Westfield, NJ, in 1965, where they raised their three children. Larry's professional career began at New York Trust Company in New York City (1956–1959), followed by a position at Royal Indemnity Company, part of Royal Insurance Companies, initially in New York and later in Charlotte, NC, where he worked from 1985. He also spent a year at the Royal Home Office in London, England (1983–1984). Larry retired in 1994 as the Chief Investment Officer of Royal.
A dedicated member of his community, Larry was actively involved in the Methodist Church and Y's Men International, supporting YMCA initiatives through community projects, leadership development, and fundraising. In Arkansas, he served on the Board of Butterfield and was a longtime committee member, including Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Larry's greatest joys were his wife Joyce, his family, naps, ice cream, and Razorback baseball. He eagerly supported and attended his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and school activities whenever possible. Over the years, he enjoyed golfing and participating in the family's annual Sunset Beach, NC gathering for over three decades.
Larry is survived by his wife, Joyce K. Masters and three children; Jim (Kathy) Masters, Tom (Kim) Masters and Lora (Jeff) Hayes, along with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church on Monday, November 10th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Christ Church, PO Box 10798, Fayetteville, AR, 72703.
To sign the online guest book please visit https://www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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