From MEMA Industry News
Larry L. Prince, former chairman and CEO of Genuine Parts Co., died peacefully at his home in Atlanta, Ga. on March 5.
“Larry was one of the most influential and respected leaders in our industry during a time when the aftermarket was blessed with many great leaders,” said Bill Long, MEMA president and CEO and AASA president and COO. “He was a man of class and distinction who was generous with his time, words of praise and encouragement. He will be truly missed.”
Prince’s GPC career spanned nearly 47 years, including 15 years as chairman and CEO before his retirement in 2005. He began in a summer job in June 1958 at its Memphis, Tennessee, location. In 1966, he was promoted to a position in GPC’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. From that point he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including as head of GPC’s European operations headquartered in Paris, France.
In addition to his GPC responsibilities, Prince was actively involved in Atlanta’s business community. Over the years, he served as a board member for a number of Atlanta-based companies, including SunTrust Bank, Equifax Inc., Crawford & Co. and the John Harland Co. He was a current board member of Rollins Inc., RPC Inc. and Marine Products Corp.
Prince also served a term as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and board member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Prince served the Atlanta community as a trustee of the Campbell Foundation, a former chairman of the Tull Foundation, the Shepherd Center Foundation, the Westminster Schools and the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He also was active in his church, Northside Drive Baptist Church, where he was a choir member for many years and a member of its Board of Deacons, including a period as chairman.
Prince is survived by his wife, Sandra; son, Larry L. Prince Jr. of Atlanta; sister, Susie P. Haines (David) of Vero Beach, Fla.; and nephew, Tyrone Shelton of Ft. Myers, Florida.
A memorial service was held March 8 in Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, or Shepherd Center Foundation Inc., 2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
A full obituary is available here.
