Larry Gene Hines

Larry Hines ObituaryVisit the Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory - South Chapel website to view the full obituary.Larry G. Hines, 69, of Pensacola, Florida took his final bow on February 27, 2026.Larry was born December 8, 1956, in Seattle, Washington, to Jimmy and Maxine Hines, Larry spent a lifetime making entrances-most of them memorable, many of them loud, and all of them full of love. Larry's childhood was anything but ordinary. His father, professional wrestler Jimmy "Bad Boy" Hines, took the family on a traveling tour of America long before Larry ever stepped on a stage himself. The family eventually settled in his mother's hometown of Milton, Florida, where Larry graduated from Milton High School. It was there that he discovered something that would stay with him forever: the joy of performing, storytelling, and making people laugh.That passion continued throughout his adult life with the Pensacola Little Theater, where he appeared in numerous productions and made lifelong friendships. Larry never quite met a stage-or a room-he couldn't fill with energy.Larry attended Pensacola Junior College, where he studied physical therapy and became a Physical Therapy Assistant, a career he faithfully pursued for decades. Many patients remember him not only for helping them walk again, but for helping them laugh again-sometimes whether they felt like it or not. His work combined skill, compassion, encouragement, and-often-just the right inappropriate joke at just the wrong (or perfect) time.Larry was a longtime and active member of First United Methodist Church in Pensacola, where his faith found daily expression through service. He participated in the Serve the Hungry ministry and worked with the audio/visual team for the ICON service. Whether serving meals, running sound, or offering encouragement, Larry brought the same spirit he carried everywhere: welcoming, joyful, and fully present.Those who knew Larry agree on one thing: he did not enter a room quietly. Doors didn't simply open when Larry arrived-they flew open with a booming "heeeeeyyyyy!" Within five minutes he owned the room. He had a big personality, the kind that made strangers feel like old friends and old friends laugh until they cried.He was the maker of famous Ooey Gooey bars, the provider of unlimited jokes (many of which probably needed a warning label), a faithful cheerleader, and often the voice ofreason-though that voice might come wrapped in a punchline. To many he was simply one of their favorite humans.Friends say he was always welcoming and brought love and laughter wherever he went. He had a gift for bringing together people who otherwise might never have met, leaving an indelible mark on countless hearts. Being around Larry was an absolute joy.Christmas season was never complete without Larry's signature holiday greeting: "Mary Esther Holly Navarre!"-his uniquely Gulf Coast way of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Larry lived his life with joy, generosity, and a deep faith in Christ. And while those who loved him miss him terribly, many have said they suspect heaven has just gotten a little louder. As one friend put it: "I hope heaven is ready for you, Larry-there's about to be a lot more laughter when you dance through the pearly gates."The world truly needed more of "Ms. Hines" and the happiness that seemed to follow him everywhere he went.But if the welcome he received in heaven was anything like the welcome he gave on earth, the gates probably flew open and somewhere in eternity a familiar voice rang out:"HEEEEYYYYY!"And just like that, Larry owned the room again.He was preceded in death by his father, James "Jimmy" Hines; his mother, Maxine Sanders Hines Carden; and his brother, James E. Hines.He is survived by his brothers Gary Lee Hines (JoAnn) and Ronnie Lynn Hines (Kimberley); his cousin W. Eric Penley, who was really more like another brother; and a lively collection-a gaggle, really-of cousins, nieces, and nephews.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.