With heavy hearts we announce the death of Larry Dean Craighead of Afton, Virginia, who passed away peacefully on October 1, 2022, at the age of 81. He was born on August 16, 1941, to the late William Royce Craighead and Florence Bernice Craighead of Haughton, Louisiana. Larry was married to the love of his life, Barbara Alease Craighead.

Larry attended Haughton High School in Haughton, Louisiana. He was a competitive athlete in track, baseball, and football. He was co-captain of his football team. He was class president his sophomore and junior years, and vice president his freshman and senior years. He was voted "Most Handsome" and "Mr. Haughton High School."

Larry graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech) in Ruston, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Accounting degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Tau Delta. After graduating from Louisiana Tech in 1963, Larry became an Internal Auditor for the United States General Accounting Organization (GAO) taking assignments in Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. He served as a Medical Specialist and Internal Auditor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Honorable Discharge. He met his wife Barbara while stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After his service in the Army, Larry moved to Virginia and he and Barbara got married.

Larry worked at the University of Virginia for 26 years as an Internal Auditor and Treasurer. During that time, he also earned a Master of Science degree from the Department of Commerce at the University of Virginia graduating in 1981.

He retired from the University of Virginia in 1995. In his retirement he enjoyed working on old cars, home projects, and spending time with his family, friends, and pets.

He was a long-time member of the Waynesboro Seventh-day Adventist Church in Waynesboro, Virginia.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, uncle, cousin, and a special friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Craighead; two children Patricia Shifflett (Doug) of Fishersville, Virginia, and David Craighead (Kim) of Leesburg, Virginia; three grandchildren, Hanna Shifflett, Emily Craighead, and Sean Craighead; nephews, Stephen Garey of Afton, Virginia, and Jason Garey of Chattanooga, Tennessee; cousins, Jeannie Zappa (Finnis) of Homer, Louisiana, Betty Paul of Minden, Louisiana, and Michael Lindsey (Fran) of Austin, Texas.

By his request there will be no formal services; however, the family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the McDow Funeral Home & Crematory, 1701 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980. Military honors will be rendered at 6:15 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to the charity of your choice.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting https://www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.