Lawrence Allan Boston

Lawrence "Larry” Allan Boston, 86 years of age, passed on 12 December 2024. Larry was born 11 November 1938, the only son of Chester Burley Boston and Mary Elizabeth Sullivan in Springfield, Illinois. He was the oldest of five children, two of whom, Rita Rose and Ellen Marie, proceeded him in death. Sisters, Mary Patricia Powell and Elizabeth Ann Heafield survive him. 

 Larry was first in his class when he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering; Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, in 1962 and was offered a graduate teaching position at the University of Kentucky at Louisville; he earned a Master’s in Structural Engineering there. In addition, he completed all but the dissertation of the PHD degree at Tulane University School of Engineering, after relocating to New Orleans. In later years, he received an MBA at Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business. A proud veteran, He completed his Army Career as a Captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers and was called to active duty during the Berlin Airlift/ Cuban Missile Crisis while in graduate school. 

During his working years, Larry began his career as a design and construction engineer in the offshore oil and gas industry. While he was the head of research and development for McDermott Inc., he traveled and worked extensively in the Middle East, Scotland, Southern Louisiana, Alaska, Canada, the Middle East , Norway and Russia. Larry was a noted seismologist and concrete construction expert. He assisted with many private and government projects related to his field; especially related to deep sea/offshore drilling platforms and marine construction. During his varied career, Larry saw many changes in the oil industry. Most notably, was the shift in technology from drafting of plans by hand to computer-aided drafting (CAD) programs. His employees on the 7th floor at the old Bank of New Orleans building knew his corner office and fondness for his speaker phone—not just for the “troops” but also for his family! At the end of his working life, Larry was a federal employee at the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as a construction specialist with the U.S. Department of Energy. 

During his adult life, Larry and his wife Elaine resided in Kentucky, New Orleans, Tulsa and ultimately the Northshore of New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain. They recently moved to the Chicago area. Larry had strong ties to Louisiana, as this was the place of his Grandmother’s birth; near Baton Rouge. Larry maintained his love of history and enjoyed educating his family about their Louisiana and Irish backgrounds. His stories related to his ancestors live on through his family.

 Larry enjoyed being a member of the Knights of Columbus and participating in Catholic activities especially being a volunteer at the St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana. He enjoyed cutting and delivering bread made by the monks, helping with Lenten fish fry’s and other KC events. He also enjoyed lineage societies with his wife, Elaine. He was voted HODAR (husband of a DAR member) by the Wharton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He wore his HODAR pin proudly and attended events regularly. Larry’s knowledge of history and geography endeared him to many in the various lineage societies. 

Larry married Ellen Elaine Featherston on 11 June 1960 and they have two children, Rita Theresa (Terri) Brandley of Laurel, MS and Carrie Ellen Clarke of Barrington, IL. He is also survived by three grandsons—Clay Talon Blackwelder, Hugh Patrick Clarke and Declan Anthony Clarke. He is survived as well, by nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former colleagues. Despite his academic and business successes, he was most proud of and loved by his family.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church, 33 South Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL. Burial will occur later at the St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Knights of Columbus Folsom Council #10176, St. John the Baptist Parish, P.O. Box #1523, Folsom, Louisiana 70437 or Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5023, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5023.