Larry and I were in school together from first grade at Matthews School through our years at East (except for the short time I attended the new South Mecklenburg before we moved to Mint Hill). All of us that grew up together at Matthews School were a close-knit group while we were there. Our classes were not too large and we got to know each other very well and cared about each other
In case you have a need to know that I still have my wits about me (ha), when Larry and I were in the second grade, he used to chase after me on the playground at Matthews and try to kiss me! It has been a sweet memory I have cherished all of these many years and have oftened wondered about his life.
"Yates" as he liked to be called later in life, played drums with the Plaids, in fact was one of the original drummers we had back in the mid 60s. Then again in the mid 80s. We had so much fun together, he was a card, and what stories he could spin. One afternoon, we played Charlotte Jazz Fest, and he was so pumped up, he kept rushing the beat. It created a whole new enviroment on stage that afternoon, some how, we eventually adopted that new version of several tunes into our regular performances after that. The audiences really responded. And Yates would smile.
That "Round" cube house he built on Phillips Rd was really unusual, but that was Yates. Always into something different. It had some features I adopted into my underground, passive solar ranch I built off Allen Black Rd in the hill in the middle of my cattle pasture. Yates installed the windows; he was good with a hammer too. And it still works great, all glass on the south side. I miss those days on the road with Yates, too. Always laughing at each others jokes, always talking about our past. And the girls. Denny
I'm Yates' youngest daughter, Allegra. It is wonderful to hear other people's memories of my father, especially since I lost him so early in my life. I was 14 years old when he was murdered & in my opinion, that just wasn't enough time to have him in my life.
We just had our first child, Liam Kai, as I watch him grow I see my father in his face. I beleive he may have inherited my father's temper through me.
I do have his old band photos, written music & his drums. I remember he was a funny guy & had a love for architecture. He was always very handy & he passed that on to me. He used to let me build things with his leftover wood from builds.
Frances Poindexter (Herndon)
I am so saddened to learn that Larry is deceased.
Larry and I were in school together from first grade at Matthews School through our years at East (except for the short time I attended the new South Mecklenburg before we moved to Mint Hill). All of us that grew up together at Matthews School were a close-knit group while we were there. Our classes were not too large and we got to know each other very well and cared about each other
In case you have a need to know that I still have my wits about me (ha), when Larry and I were in the second grade, he used to chase after me on the playground at Matthews and try to kiss me! It has been a sweet memory I have cherished all of these many years and have oftened wondered about his life.
Frances Poindexter Herndon
D. Denny Allen
"Yates" as he liked to be called later in life, played drums with the Plaids, in fact was one of the original drummers we had back in the mid 60s. Then again in the mid 80s. We had so much fun together, he was a card, and what stories he could spin. One afternoon, we played Charlotte Jazz Fest, and he was so pumped up, he kept rushing the beat. It created a whole new enviroment on stage that afternoon, some how, we eventually adopted that new version of several tunes into our regular performances after that. The audiences really responded. And Yates would smile.
That "Round" cube house he built on Phillips Rd was really unusual, but that was Yates. Always into something different. It had some features I adopted into my underground, passive solar ranch I built off Allen Black Rd in the hill in the middle of my cattle pasture. Yates installed the windows; he was good with a hammer too. And it still works great, all glass on the south side. I miss those days on the road with Yates, too. Always laughing at each others jokes, always talking about our past. And the girls. Denny
Allegra Sustar (Daugher Of Larry Sustar) (Pruett)
I'm Yates' youngest daughter, Allegra. It is wonderful to hear other people's memories of my father, especially since I lost him so early in my life. I was 14 years old when he was murdered & in my opinion, that just wasn't enough time to have him in my life.
We just had our first child, Liam Kai, as I watch him grow I see my father in his face. I beleive he may have inherited my father's temper through me.
I do have his old band photos, written music & his drums. I remember he was a funny guy & had a love for architecture. He was always very handy & he passed that on to me. He used to let me build things with his leftover wood from builds.
Thank you for sharing your memories.