DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710020429

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   32 lines

LAWRENCE L. MANN

Lawrence ``Larry'' L. Mann, of 118 Pinewood Road, bravely left at 2:45 p.m., Sept. 26, 1997, at his home, after a hard and courageous battle with cancer.

Larry Mann established Tidewater T'ai Chi Center in 1974. As founder, director and teacher, he taught T'ai Chi Ch'uan to hundreds of people throughout the Hampton Roads. To his many students he taught more advanced forms of T'ai Chi, including T'ai Chi Sword Form, Da Lau and push hands, as well as the basics. Larry passed on a solid foundation and understanding of T'ai Chi Ch'uan to his students. He selected elder students for instructors and assistants as his classes continued to grow. His patience, adherence to the T'ai Chi principles and sense of humor highlighted his teachings of the art he so loved. Larry was responsible for bringing highly distinguished T'ai Chi teachers to the Tidewater area for special seminars. Forever a student himself, Larry furthered his own studies of T'ai Chi Ch'uan with world renowned teachers, his teacher being Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo of San Francisco. Larry was also an accomplished author and historian. To all who love him and whom he loves, his passing words are, ``I'll call ya.''

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the needy through the Salvation Army. Colonial Crematorium provided information. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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