Larry Fradkin

Larry Irving Fradkin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother, passed away on September 18, 2022. Larry was born in Galveston, Texas, on October 2, 1935, and was the oldest of three boys. After graduating from Ball High School, Larry earned a BBA at the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA at the University of Houston. It was during his undergraduate years that he met his future wife, Carol. They wed in 1957 and built a life in Houston, where Larry had a successful business career as a CPA and chief financial officer. Carol and Larry maintained a robust social life, hosting and attending dinner parties, going out to restaurants, and attending theatrical and musical performances. They traveled extensively to U.S. destinations like Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado, and New York and global ones like Israel, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Just a week before his death, he was elated to be in Denver for his great granddaughter's 1st birthday and baby naming. Larry's life always revolved around his family. Though he and Carol didn't need an occasion to meet relatives for a meal, they claimed Mother's Day and Thanksgiving as their holidays to host, at times inviting up to 50 people. Larry was a meticulous planner and put together detailed spreadsheets as he organized family vacations for multiple generations, including Caribbean cruises, the State Fair of Texas, Jackson Hole to celebrate his and Carol's 80th birthdays, and, annually, Vail, Colo. But as much as he loved bringing everyone together, Larry knew the value of one-on-one time. He and his son Steve went to Austin for Longhorn football games, a tradition that spanned nearly five decades, and attended many other sporting events together. He and his daughter Susan played tennis in her adolescence and shared long walks as she got older. Larry cared for Steve's wife, Tootie, and Susan's husband, Steve, as if they were his own children. Larry and Carol took each of their grandchildren on their own trip to celebrate their bar or bat mitzvah. Ever curious and personable, Larry expressed a deep interest in not just the lives of his children and grandchildren, but those of their friends as well, engaging them in conversation and later reciting what he had learned to his family members. He talked to tour guides, restaurant workers, and salespeople everywhere he went, and it was not uncommon for him to take notes. Though he was 86 when he died, Larry seemed and felt much younger. He worked out with a trainer and took Pilates with Carol, tried to eat a balanced diet, and played mentally stimulating games to keep his mind sharp. Perhaps because he had such a full life, he took good care of himself in order to extend it. Larry was generous, good-humored, and kind, and his welcoming presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his parents Sylvia and Jake Fradkin, his mother- and father-in-law Eddie and Bob Friedberg, his brother- and sister-in-law Melvyn and Lea Fradkin, his sister-in-law Linda Fradkin, and his brother-in-law Ben Reiff. In addition to his wife Carol Fradkin, with whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage in March, Larry is survived by his children Susan and Steve Berdinis and Tootie and Steve Fradkin; his grandchildren Alex Berdinis and Megan Ryan, Eric Berdinis, Cody Berdinis, Lori Fradkin and Ben Lilien, and Leslie Fradkin; his great-grandchildren Nora Berdinis and Kyle and Nathan Lilien; his brother Allan Fradkin; and his sister-in-law Maxine Reiff. There will be a funeral at 3pm at Emanu El Memorial Park at 8341 Bissonnet St. and a memorial service at 5:30pm at Congregation Emanu El at 1500 Sunset Blvd. The funeral will be officiated by Rabbi Emeritus Roy Walter of Congregation Emanu El and Rabbi Brian Strauss of Congregation Beth Yeshurun. Donations can be made to a charity of your choice. To view the cemetyery service, please visit: Service Recording Link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1663637408208928 To view the memorial service via Congregation Emanu El, please visit https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MzQyNjQxMQ==

Larry Fradkin

October 2, 1935 - September 18, 2022