Larry Kelley Kohn

Larry Kelley Kohn, 81, of Cumming, GA passed away surrounded by his loving family at his home on March 30, 2026. Born February 27, 1945, in Whitmire, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Richard E. Kohn Sr. and Inez Kelley Kohn.

A 1963 graduate of Greenville Senior High School, Larry was a three sport Varsity athlete. An All-State selection in both football and basketball, his basketball team won the State Championship his junior year and his football team won back-to-back State Championships his junior and senior year. After a standout senior season, he was selected to play in the South Carolina/North Carolina Football All-Star Game.

Heavily recruited by surrounding schools, Larry chose to continue his football and academic career at The University of Georgia. Freshmen were ineligible to play as freshman, but Larry became a starter the next three seasons for Coach Vince Dooley’s first teams at Georgia. In 1965, he played in Georgia’s big wins over Bear Bryant and Alabama at home and at Michigan in the Big House. He was All-SEC in 1966 on Georgia’s SEC Championship Team which went 10-1 with a win over Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators and a Cotton Bowl victory. In 1967, his team went a disappointing 7-4, with 2 losses by one point. A point of pride is Larry’s teams never lost to Georgia Tech. After his senior season, Larry was selected to play in the Hula Bowl. He was eventually selected by the New York Giants but chose not to accept so he could complete his college degree.

Larry’s dream was to play college football and get a college education. Coach Dooley told Larry that he could come back and finish on the condition he would help coach as a graduate assistant. He helped coach the freshman team in 1968. After getting his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1969, he coached high school football for one year and realized teaching and coaching were not in his future. However, through Coach Dooley’s guidance, Larry left Athens equipped to work hard, persevere no matter the hardship, but never lose sight of the importance of family and teamwork.

Kohn then went into the business world in various roles for five years before going to work at Sawnee EMC in Cumming. Larry and his family opened the Meal House restaurant in Coal Mountain. Later, Larry and his wife Jo Ann turned the property into a daycare, “Little Acres”, that is still operated by two of his daughters. Larry and Jo Ann found another passion in antiques and auctions and opened “JA&L Antiques” for several years.

In 2003, Larry received a Post Graduate Achievement Award from the University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. This award is given to University of Georgia athletes who have distinguished themselves in business, while continuing to give back to the community through their service efforts. He was a proud member of the Georgia Letterman’s Club.

Larry was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Sunday School Secretary, and active in the adult choir. As a director of Oak Grove Church Camp, Larry became instrumental in planning and participating in the Oak Grove Opry. The money raised by “The Opry” has given hundreds of boys and girls the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Larry and Jo Ann are also contributors to the Eagle Ranch in Hall County which supports families “in need of renewal.”

Larry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jo Ann Martin Kohn. His daughters, Carla Martin Gravitt (Mike), Kelley Kohn Story (Sam), Kristin Kohn Martin-Mohr (Doug), Jessica Martin Cheatham (Chris). His grandchildren, Grant Gravitt (Trish), Robert Story, Kellson Gravitt (Bella), Kohnor Martin, Maryann Story, Anna Grace Cheatham, Ellis Gravitt, Kooper Martin, Josie Cheatham. His brother, Randy Kohn (Pat) of Beaufort, SC. His brothers-in-law, Pete Martin (Betty), Stevie Mills (Cindy), and his sister-in-law, Alesia Ackerman (Chad) all of Cumming. Several nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives also survive. He is preceded in death by his brother, Richard E. Kohn, Jr., his nephew Casey Kohn, his son-in-law Mike Martin, and by his in-laws Hoyt and Bernice Mills.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Oak Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Craig Richard and Rev. Pete Martin officiating. The interment will follow at Sawnee View Gardens. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 11:00 until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church Camp, 5640 Oak Grove Circle, Cumming, Georgia 30028 or Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30524.

Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements.