Larry Virgil Jacobs, 84, of Elmira, California, peacefully went home to eternal glory on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Larry was born on February 17, 1941, in Moline, Illinois to Virgil and Marguerite Jacobs. He enlisted in the Army in 1961 and was sent to California and served at a missile battery near Travis Air Force Base. It was there he met the love of his life, Nyletta "Nita" Cantrell. They were married on October 28, 1962, at Elmira Baptist Church while Larry was on 3-day leave during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After serving 12 months at a missile base in Greenland, he completed his service in 1964.

They moved to Elmira in 1968 to the house where they lived for 57 years. There they raised their sons, John and Dwayne. Their house was the center of many gatherings of family and friends over the years. Many happy hours were spent sitting in their front yard with a view of the Vacaville hills, under the shade trees Larry planted, with the kids playing in the pool or riding motorcycles around the surrounding open spaces.

After running a gas station in Vacaville, Larry went to work for U-Haul in 1968 and worked for them until he was forced to retire after an accident in 2000. He worked in several different positions for them over the years and was a company man through and through. He later worked as a handyman, using the money for bucket list vacations, including Hawaii, RV trips across the US and winters in Palm Springs.

Larry began attending Elmira Baptist Church in 1962.  He served there for over 60 years in whatever role that was needed, including deacon, teacher, treasurer, building maintenance, and bus ministry just to name a few. He worked alongside many pastors over the years, developing lifelong friendships with them. When he was no longer able to attend church in person, he faithfully watched the services online. And though he will not be able to see the opening of their new sanctuary in April as he hoped, his life-long service to the church will be felt by many when they open the doors for the first time.

Larry had many hobbies and interests. He was a volunteer fireman in Elmira for years. He enjoyed watching the 49ers and attending Vacaville High School football games but found his real passion when he discovered bass fishing. His prize possession was his Cajun bass boat, and he spent many hours fishing on Lake Berryessa and Lake Amador with Nita, family and friends. Larry and Nita enjoyed many trips to Hawaii over the years, and spent their retirement years seeing the country, family, and friend in their RV. Later in life, he and Nita discovered Palm Springs and became "snowbirds", spending many winters there with their travelling friends and new friends they met from as far away as Canada.

Larry lived a full and rewarding life. He loved his family unconditionally. He was a devoted husband, a patient and loving father, and a proud and doting grandfather.  He worked hard but always made his family a priority. He was known as "Uncle Larry" to many, related or not.  He was a loyal and caring friend to so many people. He had a special place in his heart his dogs and couldn't relax in his big recliner without his dogs beside him.

Larry is survived by his wife, Nita, and sons John (Karen) and Dwayne (Miles), grandchildren Andrew, Amanda, and Stacey, and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his mother Marguerite, father Virgil, and sisters Shirley, Muriel, and Sandra.

Burial will be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 5810 Midway Road in Dixon on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Elmira Baptist Church at 6111 California Pacific Road in Elmira on Saturday, April 12, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elmira Baptist Church Building Fund.