Larry Carlton Fendley

Larry Carlton Fendley, 79, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday March 7, 2026, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, son, and daughter at the time of his passing. Larry was born in 1947 in Mobile, Alabama, to Minnie Lee Moore Fendley and William Ray Fendley. He was the youngest of four boys, and when Larry was 5 years old the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. Larry graduated from Bearden High School in 1966 and attended East Tennessee State University for two years. While at ETSU, Larry was drafted into the United States Army where he served in Korea and Germany. On August 5,1972, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Smith. Their son Scott was born in 1974, followed by their daughter Emily in 1982. Larry was an accomplished salesman in Knoxville’s building industry and in 1989 acquired what was to become Standard Kitchen & Bath. In addition to designing beautiful spaces, Larry built long-standing relationships with his customers and employees. He always conducted his business with a level of kindness and grace that was unparalleled. Larry was passionate about the work he did but left lots of room to enjoy many other activities and time spent with those he loved. He was a devoted University of Tennessee Volunteers fan and regularly attended Vols football games in Neyland. He spent countless hours on the ballpark bleachers and beside the courts watching his four grandchildren play sports. When he needed time to relax, you could find him on the dock on Watts Bar Lake and soaking up sun and precious time with family (and of course the family dogs) on the boat. As an active member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden, he never hesitated to be a true volunteer and regularly taught the two-year-olds class at church. The way Larry showed the love of Christ through his actions and through his kindness towards others was beautiful. It wasn’t always with words that he shared his faith in Jesus, but his actions spoke volumes. Larry Fendley is preceded in death by his parents, William and Minnie Fendley and by his brothers, Bill Fendley and Don Fendley. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathy Smith Fendley, son Scott Fendley (Amy) and daughter Emily Fendley Jenkins (Andrew), his four beloved grandchildren Wesley, Hunter, Jake, and Olivia, older brother Archie Fendley (Susan), nephews Hunter Fendley (Stacey), Andy Fendley, and Howie Fendley (Leslie), and niece Katie Fendley Neely (J.C.). His Havanese dog, Belle, held a very special place in his heart. A celebration of the life of Larry Fendley will be held on Saturday March 14, 2026, at Central Baptist Church of Bearden. Receiving of Friends will begin at 3:30 p.m. with a service following at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee (www.alztennessee.org) or to the Central Baptist Church of Bearden’s children’s program. Larry Carlton Fendley will be remembered for many wonderful things, but mostly for his abundance of kindness, deep love for his family and pets, and for the Christ-like way he treated all people each and every day. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

Tributes

Larry Carlton Fendley

February 7, 1947 - March 7, 2026