Larry was born in Florence, Alabama on September 8, 1941 and moved to the Phoenix area at age 3. He graduated from Washington High School in 1959. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Arizona State University in 1964 and 1968. While at ASU, Larry was president of Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity; and president of Phi Mu Alpha, national honorary music fraternity. Larry served as the original band director at 3 Tempe area high schools: McClintock High School; Marcos de Niza High School, and Corona del Sol High School and is the composer of each school’s alma mater and fight song. After 14 years of serving the students in the Tempe Union High School District, Larry was appointed the Director of Music Education for the Mesa Public Schools in 1978 until his retirement in 2002.
Larry served God through his music ministry during his adult life. He is a past choral director at Central Christian Church in Mesa, AZ; John Calvin United Presbyterian Church, in Apache Junction, AZ; Glass and Garden Church in Scottsdale, AZ; and Broadway Christian Church in Mesa, AZ.
A few of Larry’s leadership experiences include serving as president of the Arizona Music Educators Association; Fiesta Bowl Pageantry Chairman in 1975; and president of the Tempe Secondary Education Association in 1976-77. Larry was a member of the Arizona Music Advisory Committee and the Arizona Alliance for Arts in Education. He played French horn in several area orchestras including the Mesa Musical Theatre and the Mesa Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded the Arizona Music Educator of the Year Award in 1979-80.
He is survived by his wife Cheri; son Michael; step daughter Kim Bingham; step son Taylor Horn and brother Stanley. He was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Fannie Mabbitt; daughter Stacey; and granddaughter, Brooke Bassler.
Jeannette Shields
I was sad to read about Mr. Mabbitt’s passing this morning in the paper. He was my horn teacher when I was in high school and I owe him a great deal. He was the one who enabled me to become a much better musician that I would have been without him. He was kind and encouraging, yet always expected the best from me. Music has been such an important part of my life, and Larry Mabbitt helped make it so. My prayers will be with you, his family and friends.
Dixee Partee
So sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. He was quite the musician, educator and gentleman. I was always impressed by his energy, wit and dedication. I worked with Larry only a few years at MdN but my theatre department was practically next door to the music department. My thought and prayers to his family
Dixee Partee
Paul Moberg
God bless and keep you as my thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
Mike Ripley
I was very fortunate to have performed my student teaching under Larry at Marcos de Niza, then succeed him as band director at Corona del Sol. I have many fond memories of those days with him. His kind guidance and direction were invaluable, and full of lessons which I still carry with me.
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that Larry’s goodness and teachings were far-reaching. Because of his work, students today (and into the future) will enjoy great benefits from music education.
Ron & Rhonda Sebade
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. We pray the Lord will be your strength during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you Cheri and your family.
Ron & Rhonda Sebade
Chris Palacios
I am sorry to hear about the passing of a great mentor, Larry Mabbit. He was such a kind soul and I will never forget what he has done for me back in 2001 when I was a member of the Mesa High Band. At the time, we were having issues with the new band director who took over for Michael Miller and so he decided to quit right in the smack of Marching season. Well Larry stepped in and decided to sub until we got a new Director. He taught me so much about loving music and he also helped me pick out my brand new trumpet. I will never forget his words when I had a solo to play during a concert and encouraged me to “kick butt”. I am sad it took me this long to try and find him. If there is any way of someone letting me know where he is buried I would appreciate it dearly.
Nick Feldaverd
I was sorry to hear the sad news about Larry. He was a good man. Larry hired me when I first moved to AZ and we both played in the Mesa Symphony. After my wife died, Larry stepped up to help me deal with the grief. We would often have lunch and he checked in on me and my son on a regular basis. We had lost touch over the past few years, but I will never forget what a blessing he was. My prayers are with Cheri and the family.
Eddie Fallon
I am so shocked to hear that “Mabbitt” is gone. I had the great experience of being Larry’s friend during his undergraduate time at ASU,where we played in the Sun Devil Marching Band and Concert Band. This would have been in 1959 to 1963. I always just called him “Mabbitt”. I remember him being a real energetic leader and he always wanted to make things better. He really enjoyed being President of Kappa Kappa Psi.
He had a tremendous amount of energy, and for a big guy, he was really quick and agile. I remember that during breaks at the Sun Devil Marching Band practices, Mabbitt would be throwing a football and be running around instead of sitting and resting like the rest of us.
There was also the fun time we had playing in the entertainment band at Legend City when it opened in the Summer of 1963.
He was a great organizer. For example, just a few years ago, he organized those wonderful reunions for us Sun Devil Band Members from the time frame mentioned above. It was just typical “Mabbitt”
Because of being one of Larry Mabbitt’s friends, my college years were enriched so much more and I will always remember “Mabbitt”
Eddie Fallon
John C. Faris
Larry was a great friend, both personally and professionally. We were contemporaries in the music education business and we worked closely together in many ways in the advancement of music education in Arizona. All of us who ever knew him will miss his presence. Really, all there is to say is: “job well done.” Your legacy will survive in the lives of the many people you touched.
Linda Lindsey
I didn’t know Larry’s wife and children. I am his and Stan’s cousin. Our first Thanksgiving in Phx., we ate on Aunt Fannie;s patio. It was always fun with the rhree of them. I remember eating at Bill Johnson’s Big Apple on Van Buren. If Larry had a sense of humor, he got to from his Mom. Simpathy to the family.
Ted Solis
So sorry not to have seen this earlier. I had heard of Larry’s death, but never got details of funeral, memorial, etc. Anyhow, Larry and I were fellow ASU band members and music majors 1959–63. A fine guy, fine musician. Very grateful for his having organized band reunions within the past 15 years or so. Very sorry to hear of his passing, and wish I’d known about funeral. My very belated condolences to his family.