Lawrence Stephen Klass

Lawrence Stephen KlassJune 21, 1925 - February 5, 202498 Years Old--World War II VeteranLarry Klass of Dadeville passed to his Heavenly Home on February 5, 2024. Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home on Sunday, February 11th, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. A 3:00 pm Funeral Mass will follow at St. John the Apostle Church. Father Thomas Gopu is the officiant. Larry is to be buried next to his beloved wife, Roberta, at Hillview Memorial Park.Larry joined the U.S. Navy in World War II at the age of 17 and served from 1943 -1946. He married his wartime sweetheart Roberta Link in 1947. Their very loving marriage lasted 68 years until Roberta's death in 2015.Larry graduated from Michigan State University where he obtained a B.S. Degree in Materials Engineering. He chose the field of aviation for his lifetime career. In the aircraft industry he was involved in the fabrication of aircraft landing gears, jet engines, aircraft wing panels and fuselage structures for many different airplanes including the B-1 bomber.In the aerospace field he helped research and establish the production procedures for the fluxless brazing of heat transfer components to cool in flight instruments. He was also involved in the material control and fabrication of the inter-tank structure for the first Space Shuttle.During his career, Larry obtained two patents on the ball forming of aircraft wing panels and other components. He co-authored ball forming and shot peening articles for the Metal Progress Magazine.In 1971 he was honored by the American Society for Metals Committee as one of 400 USA technical experts selected to author an article for their Eighth Metals Handbook Edition. The article on "the Arc Welding of Titanium Alloys" dealt with the procedures and technology of welding 6AL-4V Titanium Strut Assemblies. The article was distributed worldwide.Larry was an active and vibrant social leader. He spent several years with Junior Achievement helping youth to better understand family values and the Free Enterprise System. While employed at AVCO-TEXTRON he was the Nashville President of the American Society for Metals, the President of the American Welding Society and President of the Management Club.During his retirement on Lake Martin, he was an active member of Prestige 55, Lake Watch, Horizons Unlimited and Vice President of the Tallapoosa County Master Gardeners Association. He sang in the Choir at St. John the Apostle Church and was the oldest member of their Church Family when he passed.His personal hobbies were simple. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and read. Most of all he loved his family and friends.He is survived by his son, Robert Klass (Jana) of Pennsylvania; daughter, Barbara Adamson (Vic) of Alexander City; and foster-son, Emilio Urrutia (Mariela) of FL; six grandchildren - Todd Adamson (Cindy) of TN; Tiffany Daniel (Jimmy) of Alexander City; Brent Adamson (Robbi Anne) of Birmingham; Chad Adamson (Ashley) of Trussville; Clay Adamson (Crystal) of Alexander City; Dr. Brittany Klass of Pennsylvania; and blessed with sixteen great-grandchildren.Larry was preceded in death by his wife Roberta; brothers Sylvester, Harry, Arthur and Freddie; sisters Irene Nelkie and Dorothy Rytlewski; and step-sister Mary McIntyre.The family would like to express their appreciation to Russell Medical Center, Chapman Healthcare, and Bill Nichols State Veterans Home for the high quality, compassionate care provided to "Grandpa" during the past year.