Lawrence Curtis Fondern, affectionately known as Larry to his family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, was born April 9, 1960, and departed this life on July 25, 2020.

Larry was the first-born son to Cora Fondern of Lompoc and Willie Wiles, who preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing his mother Cora Fondern; devoted wife of 30 years Annetta; his children LaToya Manning (Preston) of De Soto, Tex., Bernique Covington (Andre) of Fresno, Calif., and Lawrence Avery Fondern of Santa Maria.

His grandchildren Breanna, Aavian and Eli Covington of Fresno, Preston Jr. (PJ), Tory, April, Aaron and Abigail Manning of De Soto, Tex.

His siblings Jean Fondern and Benjamin Fondern of Minneapolis Minn.; Lee Fondern and Dolores Fondern of Sioux Falls, SD; Daniel Fondern (Tiffany) of Santa Maria; Lamont Fondern of Santa Barbara; Michelle Wiles-Jones (Jeffrey) of Pahrump, Nev.; and Mary Wiles of Los Angeles; and a plethora of loving family members, co-workers, neighbors, friends and associates.

Larry was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Even as a youth, he excelled at academics and team sports. He was a champion wrestler and football player in high school. He helped support his family by delivering newspapers.

His ability to speak and convey a message earned him numerous awards, including a trip to Washington, D.C., where he toured and met the president.

He graduated from Dunbar Vocational Academy in Chicago, and attended Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, MO. He earned three associate’s degrees in electronics from Allen Hancock College in Santa Maria.

Larry worked for nuclear power facilities all over the country including San Onofre, Davis Bessie in Ohio, and Diablo Canyon in Avila Beach. It was the time spent at Davis Bessie that allowed him to re-unite with his high school sweetheart Annetta. His time spent working at Diablo Canyon made him come to love the scenery and temperate climate of Santa Maria.

Larry, Annetta and Bernique moved to Santa Maria in 1987, when he made the decision to call the Central Coast his home.

Larry worked as a wrestling coach at Allan Hancock College, and worked 23 years at VAFB, for Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance, as a quality inspector. He worked on the Titan, Atlas and Delta Space Launch programs.

He held his work in high regard, and could be counted on to deliver a consistent quality product. He received numerous awards and commendations for his work efforts on SLC 4 and SLC 3 on VAFB.

Larry was a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, co-worker, good neighbor, hard worker and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

He was also, an avid Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents Eddie and Mozelle Fondern; his father Willie Wiles (Mattie); his brother Billie Wiles (Marigold); his brother Charles Lewis (Kim); and godmother Alice McCommon (Ronald).

Go home Larry, take your rest. You were loved by many, but God loves you best.

To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com.