AKERS, Rev. Larry, 64, of Largo, Florida, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 27th, 2022. Rev. Akers was born in Huntington, WV, to parents Bobby Lemeur Akers and Anna Mae Holley. After graduating from Barboursville High School, he became a lifelong student of various disciplines: He received an A.A. from the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology; studied at the University of Oklahoma for commercial flight training, earned his pilot’s license, and received his B.S. in Aeronautical Science at Perdue University. He received an Honors B.S. and a M.A. from the University of Sedona and studied Near Death Experiences for his PhD in Transpersonal Psychology.
Larry’s curiosity led him to motorbiking alone across the U.S.; respecting and uplifting the spirituality of others, particularly Native Americans; and collaborating with Perdue professors, especially Donald Herring. He founded a healing program called Rapid Emotional Release through his decades of training in different modalities. He helped people in all walks of life and dedicated his services for free to veterans.
Larry met and spoke with prominent authors, such as Dr. Raymond Moody, the doctor who studied and termed the word “near death experience”. His interest in near death experience began with his own. One of his NDEs, considered rare in the field, has been documented on NDE research websites.
He loved nature, spending countless hours exploring the sanctity of the woods in his hometown; enjoying his special connection to animals; and embracing daily watching of glorious sunsets in Florida.
Throughout the years, Larry was the friend whom family could count on for his kindness, generousity, guidance, and deep devotion. He loved his family, and he spoke proudly of them to everyone he met. He inspired others with his love of music, movies, and humor. He encouraged people to pursue their interests through higher education, life experiences, and the same tenacity he possessed in looking for out-of-the-box solutions.
His years of helping others included professional counseling; cooking big dinners for family, friends, fellow college friends, colleagues, neighbors, and people in need; and encouraging family, friends, and strangers to follow their dreams. His last contribution, to the Lions Eye Institute, was for the gift of sight for two people.
His favorite quote was “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; child, Ramsey Khawaja; brothers, Renato Juan Nojadera and Bobby Dale Akers; sister, Debbie Akers Mercure, and sister-in-law Melanie Brannum. Donations in memory of Larry Akers can be made to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation or to the Unity Church of Clearwater.
To help the family directly, please contact Ramsey or Renato on ways to help.
One Response
My dear Larry, I’m heartbroken without you but looking for your guidance. My “most interesting man in the world”, I’m grateful for our family and all we did together throughout the years.
You made me feel most loved and beautiful. So many people feel your loss. You will be forever missed and forever loved.