Larry N. Debruhl

In his early years, it was discovered that he had very poor eyesight and after tests and consultations at several major medical centers, including Duke Medical Center in Durham, he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. The family was advised that there was no treatment for this condition and that it would worsen with time and result in total blindness. This prognosis became a reality for Larry, resulting in blindness before he could settle on a career or attain a family of his own.

Larry elected to pursue further education at Western Carolina University at Cullowhee, NC, and with the assistance of caring professors and readers, ultimately graduated with a degree in Psychology. He then accepted a position with the North Carolina Department of Social Services as a caseworker serving blind clients in Halifax, Warren, and Northampton Counties. In addition to his normal duties, he organized and led trips to the beach and to Camp Dogwood, a camp for the blind in Iredell County, for his clients and arranged for them to take advantage of other opportunities open to them that they would have otherwise never known about. Throughout his life and career that spanned thirty years, he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those, like himself, who were destined to live their lives in total darkness.

As a youngster, Larry loved God’s green earth and being outside, and this led to scouting, being a member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the distinction of being the first blind individual in North Carolina to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Following his stint in scouting, he enrolled in “Outward Bound” a wilderness survival school, in Linville Gorge, NC, where he enriched his life by learning survival skills while thoroughly enjoying the program. He was the school’s first blind participant.

Larry enjoyed being a part of his community, where he was an active member of his local Lions Club and an active participant in its charity and loved attending State Conventions with his wife and constant partner and driver, Gloria, who was always at his side.

Larry is predeceased by his parents, Joseph M. and Mary Whitfield DeBruhl of Goldsboro, and his beloved wife, Gloria Jones DeBruhl. He is survived by his stepsons, Joey Butler (Teresa) and Larry Butler, and stepdaughter, Kim Plyer (Mike), nine step-grandchildren, and fifteen step-great

grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by two brothers, Joseph M. DeBruhl of Charlotte, and James M. DeBruhl (Dene), of Raleigh, and a host of Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins throughout the State of North Carolina, who loved and respected him for the man that he was, one who truly found his place in life.