Lawrence Arnold Joseph

LIVESTREAM: Please click here to attend the funeral service via livestream

Lawrence Arnold Joseph (Larry) was born on June 11, 1941 to Rose and Michael Joseph. He spent his childhood in Washington, Indiana, the youngest of four siblings – Darrel, Barbara, and David. 

Larry moved to St. Louis, Missouri when he was ten years old. He was active in his synagogue’s Boy Scout troop. He achieved the status of Eagle Scout, and was voted Mayor of St. Louis for the day. 

Larry attended Ladue High School, where he excelled at swimming. His stroke was the butterfly. After high school graduation, he went on to Indiana University and studied communications, specializing in TV production. He joined Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, serving as prior for several years. 

At Indiana, Larry joined the ROTC program, and went into the US Army as a second lieutenant. He was stationed at Ft. Hamilton in New York, where he was the post adjutant and ran the base’s Boy Scout troop. 

Larry spent a brief time in California, but then moved to Atlanta, Georgia to join Herman and Harry Popkin in starting Select Service & Supply. Larry married Eileen Wolper Joseph from Charleston, S.C. in 1967. They settled in Sandy Springs, and raised two daughters, Stacey and Allison. Larry loved designing and visualizing space, and was responsible for the design and layout of all three of their homes.

In the 1970s, Larry began working with Peter Savitz, who became his partner and lifelong friend as they built Sportime into a worldwide venture, providing sporting equipment for physical education at schools and summer camps. At the age of 56, he decided to retire and he and Pete sold Sportime, continuing on as consultants. 

Larry was very active in leadership roles for Jewish communities locally and in Israel, volunteering as a major gifts fundraiser for the Jewish Federation, and serving on the Jewish Agency Board of Governors. He was the Epstein School “Man of the Year” in 1996. Larry was strongly committed to Jewish and Israeli causes, and became an Israeli citizen in 2020. 

He loved spending quality time, over scotch or wine, with dear friends in Atlanta, Miami, and Jerusalem. He loved being on the water, whether sailing, scuba diving, or cruising. Travel wasn’t just going from place to place for Larry, but a fabulous adventure of exploration.

Larry was a serious and committed Jew. He built a traditional home with Eileen, forming strong and meaningful relationships with the congregations of which he was a part. He was always interested in learning Torah.

First and foremost, Larry loved his family. He devoted himself to an extensive genealogy of the Joseph/Kotchoro and the Wolper/Geldbart families, seeking out relatives far and near, for memorable family reunions.

Larry leaves behind a wonderful close-knit family: Eileen Joseph, his wife of 58 years, two daughters Stacey (Brian) Tovin of Atlanta, and Allison (Benjamin) Pollock of Jerusalem; grandchildren Asaf (Shira), Hadas, and Ayelet Pollock; Alex, Jordan and Drew Tovin; beloved cousins, and many dear friends.

Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

SHIVA: Shiva will be held from Sunday through Thursday, beginning each day at 5:00 PM, at the Joseph home: 135 Cameron Glen Drive, 30328.