Larry Vest

Vest, Larry age 64, of Riverside, passed away January 8, 2018.

Larry was a well-known Dayton musician for 52 years. He started playing the bass guitar at the age of 12 with Johnny Lee and the Convoys, and never stopped playing until he died at the age of 64. He honed his bass playing chops with the band Giant, a Dayton fixture, from the 70s till the 90s. Some of the bands who had the pleasure of playing with Larry included The Dayton Yellow Springs Band, Higher Ground, Timer, White Rabbit, Rockin' Horse, Alan Smithee, Spill The Wine and The Vestones. He never got tired and played every chance he got; he was admired by the best musicians in Dayton. He didn't play for the money or the applause, but for the love of his craft, and it showed. The Dayton music community is in mourning with the loss of Larry, and his funky bass runs will never be duplicated because he had a style all his own.

Larry was preceded in death by his father William Vest, his mother Etta Napier and his good friend and Giant bandmate David Stegner.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife and bandmate Toni Vest; his son Bill Vest; his brother James Vest; his sisters Phillis Combs and Joyce Naveau; granddaughters Kyley Vest, Emma Vest and Abigail Varney; his lifelong friend Rick Michael, his beloved dog Chopper and many nieces and nephews who thought the world of their Uncle Larry.

He also leaves behind his friends and bandmates, Mike Baumann, Mike Losekamp, Kevin Paxson, Rob Snyder, Mark Kussman and Steve Bell. His friends and family have sustained a huge loss, but his gentle spirit will live on because Larry will never be forgotten. RIP Funkylars…

A Celebration of Larry's life will take place on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, Beavercreek Chapel. The family will greet friends from 2-4:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will take place the following day at Calvary Cemetery.

To leave a message for the family, please visit www.NewcomerDayton.com