Larry G. Boardman

Larry G. Boardman- Age 82, of West Nashville, passed from this life unexpectedly on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at St. Thomas West Hospital.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George L. and Treva Boardman; and his grandson, Brandon Boardman.

Larry is lovingly survived by his wife, Linda Tarkington Boardman; his children, Debra Boardman Parker (Michael); Tracy Wallace (Sharon), Dr. Timothy Wallace (Renee), and Carla Neese (Robert); grandchildren, Blake Wallace, Rylan Boardman, Emily Horn, Anthony Parker, Jackson Neese, and Ella Neese; great grandchildren, Milo Boardman, Sophia Boardman, Riley Wright, and River Boardman; and a host of extended family members.

Larry was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he lived with his mother and Boardman grandparents while his father served in WWII. Tragically, his father was killed in action on August 7, 1944, in Mortain, France. Larry was thirteen months old.

Following this loss, Larry and his mother moved to Hanging Limb, Tennessee, to be near her family, sharing a lively home with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins who were more like siblings.

At an early age, Larry discovered his love for the piano, nurtured by his mother and beloved piano teacher, Fleda Eldridge, whose lessons left a lasting impression. In Monterey, Tennessee, Larry’s mother-who never remarried after losing her “prince,” – taught him from God’s word mixed with lots of love. Graduating from Monterey High’s Class of 1962, Larry’s youth wasn’t without incident: while gathered to watch the Ralph Emery Show with his cousins, a mishap with a loaded rifle left him shot in the thigh. Though doctors said he would never walk again, Larry’s determination proved otherwise and the incident led him to become strong advocate for gun safety. His sharp eye for marksmanship—once used to ping pennies held by brave Cousin Charlie—was matched by his natural eye for color in the body shop
trade.

From early jobs to opening Boardman’s Body Shop in Monterey, Larry’s skill stood out. A visit from a paint representative and his boss revealed Larry knew their products better than they did, launching a thirty-plus year career with Martin Senour Paints. His success came not only from expertise, but from his gift for friendship and laughter – Larry never met a stranger.

In 1991, he married Linda and moved to Nashville. At home Larry was famous for his Boardman Breakfasts complete with homemade biscuits, grits, gravy and fried potatoes. He loved making homemade pizzas for Pizza Night, chocolate chip cookies and made-from scratch yeast bread. A “cook-out” was always in the making with family and friends gathered in the back yard.

One of his greatest pleasures was spending time with his family, especially trying to wrangle four great-grand kids under the age of six when he visited his childhood home in Monterey, TN.

You could find him on the golf course several days a week where he celebrated two “Holes In One” and many friends. His love for the game led to unforgettable experiences when playing the Mauna Lani Golf Course in Hawaii in 2002, Pebble Beach in 2018, and most notably, the historic Saint Andrews Golf Course, Scotland, in 2022.

As the years went on, Larry’s faith deepened, and he grew closer to the Lord. He provided an example of what it meant to be a worker in the Kingdom of God. His generosity, faithful worship, Bible study and willingness to help anyone he could was an inspiration to all who met him.

Larry will be remembered with love and admiration as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who were blessed to know him.

The funeral service to honor and celebrate Larry’s life will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 1PM, at River Road Church of Christ, located at 7407 Old Charlotte Pike, with Paul Darety and Josh Barnett officiating. Interment will follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org or Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund (General 6 — Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc.) William Barker, Jim Orman, Ken Caldwell, Joey Eades, Rylan Boardman, Blake Wallace, and Shane Cantwell will serve as the active pallbearers. Paul Wright, Ken Smith, Toby Kinnebrew, John Moore, JC Carlton, Michael Parker, Elders and Deacons of River Road Church of Christ will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation with the Boardman family will be on Monday, October 6th from 11:00am until the service time at 1:00pm, at River Road Church of Christ.

Following the burial, the family extends a welcome to those who are able to join them for a catered reception at the Pavilion of Harpeth Hills.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104 (615) 857-9955. We are proud to be West Nashville & Bellevue’s only locally owned and operated burial & cremation provider.