Lieutenant Colonel Larry Richard Dannelly, USAF, retired, age 69, beloved husband of Rose Mary Owen Dannelly, died of a sudden illness Sunday, April 19, 2015, in Ocala, Fla.

Born in Orangeburg, S.C., he was the son of the late Henri Christian Dannelly and Mabel Ritter Dannelly.

He graduated from Bells High School, near his home town Ehrhardt, S.C., Clemson University with a B.S. in textile chemistry and St. Mary’s University with a masters in systems management.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 21 years of service.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, he flew as a commercial pilot with American Airlines.

He was a member of the Daedalians (the National Fraternity of Military Pilots) and St. Anne Catholic Church in Sumter.

Lt. Col. Dannelly entered the Air Force in 1968 through the ROTC program at Clemson. After graduating from pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, he flew fighters beginning with a year of combat in the A-1E during the conflict in Southeast Asia. Returning stateside, he became an instructor pilot in the T-38 back at Craig AFB. He then returned to fighters flying both the A-7 and then the A-10, where he culminated his Air Force flying career as an A-10 squadron commander at RAF Bentwatters. Colonel Dannelly concluded his Air Force career on the staff of the Ninth AF Headquarters at Shaw AFB.

Among the numerous awards and decorations he received over his distinguished 21 year career, Lt. Col. Dannelly received the Distinguish Flying Cross (twice) for gallantry, the Air Medal (awarded 16 times) and the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded four times).

Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Ryan Owen Dannelly and wife Heidi of Simpsonville; one daughter, Carrie Christian Dannelly of Charleston; two brothers, Henri Christian Dannelly Jr. of Ocala, Fla. and Gordan David Dannelly of Easley; one sister, June Dannelly Brooks of Sparta, N.J.; and four grandchildren, Callie Lopez, Owen, Ilona and Maximilian Dannelly.

A mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, April 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Burke, C.S.S.R officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. in the Ft. Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 23, 2015, from 6- 8 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home with the wake service beginning at 6 p.m.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.