Larry
Douglas Bray
12/30/1966 –
06/09/2007
Some may wonder why there
is a link named “Cheeseburger”. Well,
when Larry was a sophomore in high school, he was given that nickname by one of
his football teammates. Because, as the teammate observed, he reminded him of
Mayor McCheese from the McDonalds commercials because
of Larry’s “shape” at the time. Well, needless to say, Larry grew out of that
shape, but not out of the nickname. Ever since then, Larry would be known as “Cheese”,
“Cheeseburger”, or “Burger”.
Anyone who knew Larry also
knew how special a person he was. No matter the circumstance, there was
going to be at least a smile, if not a full blown laugh. He cared deeply for family and friends. A
gentle soul that would also fiercely protect those he loved.
There is no doubt that
there is an empty spot in each of our lives since we tragically lost him. He has
made many memories to sustain us as we mourn and grieve his passing.
Christmas - 2005
In addition to benefiting
a worthy cause, this event is meant to continue to add to that impressive
archive of wonderful memories and moments he has left with us. We could fill
volumes with adventure, misadventure, laughter, caring, silliness, and so on.
Let us continue to add to these volumes by
having a wonderful event and tournament remembering how special of a person he
was. The mood for this event is carefree and anything goes, just like the
Cheeseburger. Whenever Larry played golf, it was to have fun. He did not carry
a handicap, never bought a club or bag, and the only reason he bought golf
shoes was because none of his brother’s shoes were big enough to fit him. This
was not because he did not enjoy playing; it was because he took the
camaraderie and the time with family and friends much more seriously than he
ever took a round of golf. That is the spirit of this event and of Larry.
We know he bought golf
balls because one of the first times he played in Ponte Vedra, Larry showed up
with a spanking brand new value pack of 18 golf balls. He was playing the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course with the famed 17th
island green. Well, by the time he had reached 17, Larry had hit every one of
those balls into water hazards that dominate that course. He proceeded to
borrow 3 more balls to put into the lake around 17 before he landed one on the
green, did a little dance, and yelled “That’s Right!”. Now every time we play, we throw a brand new
ball into the first water hazard we come to, and say whatever we feel like to
“Cheese”.
13th Hole - TPC Sawgrass
Larry never failed to bring an air of
lightness to whatever event he attended. If ever someone walked in the door and
you thought to yourself, “Now we are going to have some fun”, he was that
person. Here is to you Cheese, we love you, we miss you, we will never forget
you, and we look forward to seeing you again.
Make no mistake - that is a
crawfish he put on his nose to amuse his nieces and nephews.
He had tears in his eyes from the
pain and we had tears in our eyes because once again
Larry did something to amuse us
all.
This event will be an
annual tradition and we are considering rotating the site each year between
Mr. Incredible and IncrediBoy – 06/02/2007
Although this event will
bear the name Larry Bray Memorial, we also honor and remember at this event two
special loved ones we lost in the same year as Larry.
Tommie Scott Bray - “Ah Mama” – 11/15/1936 – 09/22/2006
Diether John Jaksch, Sr. -
“Papa Diether”- 4/21/1941 - 10/12/2007