A true servant of the people
Many who knew Dr. W. Larry Lundy, talk about his noble spirit, commitment to excellence, spiritual foundation, and love of his people; long before they talk about his many degrees, accolades, and medical expertise.
A consummate professional who was highly respected, Dr. Lundy was an acclaimed podiatrist, businessman, community servant, husband, father, and grandfather.
Dr. Lundy held a special place in Nettie Ivory Adams heart because he cared so delicately for her feet, recalls her daughter, Norma, as she explained that as a senior citizen, foot care was a treat for her mother.
“Because of her age and occupation, wear and tear to her feet was hard to avoid,” explained Norma. “She stood on her feet all day working in a beauty shop in North Dallas, so she looked forward to going up on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to visit Dr. Lundy’s office.
According to Norma, when her mother returned home to their house in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood known as Lincoln Manor near Bexar St., the comforting smile on her face was very noticeable.
“As her daughter, I will always remember Dr. Lundy and what his skill and treatment meant to my mother,” she said, adding that he had the same caring relationship with so many others of her age in the community.
He was born Willie Larry Lundy in Selma, AL on January 4, 1929, and he transitioned in Dallas, TX on Friday, February 23, 2024. He was 95.
When he was young, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Selma and following graduation from Selma’s Knox Academy, he went on to attend Knoxville College in Tennessee; where he held several jobs to help pay for his education.
While the scholar-athlete stayed busy working and studying; he also played football, ran track, and pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1950.
After graduating from Knoxville College in 1952, he was accepted to the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine where he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree in 1956.
Excited about working as a podiatrist, Dr. Lundy did his residency in Chicago where he also met his wife, Mary. In 1960, the young couple moved to Cleveland, OH, where Dr. Lundy set up his podiatry practice and their son and daughter were born.
He became a clinical instructor at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine teaching podiatry students.
In 1969, Dr. Lundy was recruited to be the first African American ambulatory foot surgeon in Dallas, TX. He purchased a home in Hamilton Park and joined the Hamilton Park United Methodist Church where he was an active member and served in various leadership roles for over 55 years.
During his time in Dallas, Dr. Lundy set up his practice on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard where he served the community for more than 50 years. He was of and for his community and his support never wavered He later opened a second foot clinic, in Hamilton Park in North Dallas, until the city acquired the surrounding area to open the now Robert E. Price Post Office.
Photo: David Woo/Dallas Morning News
Dr. Lundy treated patients at several hospitals, including Forest Avenue Hospital which was among the first Black- owned hospitals in Dallas, St. Paul Medical Center, and Methodist Hospital in Oak Cliff.
He was also known to make house calls and visit nursing homes to care for his senior patients.
His legacy of care went well beyond his tireless medical work. The Lundy home in Cleveland and Dallas was a place where family members could stay as they started their careers.
Dr. Lundy was also involved in the Dallas community where he supported organizations including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, the Cotton Bowl Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Pythias Federal Credit Union, Park South Family YMCA, Moorland YMCA, and the NAACP (life-time member).
Throughout the years, Dr. Lundy received numerous awards and recognition for his business accomplishments and community service. Some of his accolades included Podi-atrist of the Year from the Dallas County Podiatric Medical Association, the Dallas Black Chamber Quest for Success Award honoring entrepreneurs, the NAACP Juanita Craft Award, and Honorary Grand Marshall of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.
He also helped start several businesses, including one of the first Black banks in Dallas (Sun-belt National Bank) and Lim’s Cafeteria.
Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson is retiring this year as Senior Pastor at Hamilton Park UMC, and she says she was honored to be his pastor.
“Dr. Lundy was a pioneer physician who opened doors for many,” she said. “Even though I met him late in his life, Dr. Lundy took care of his body and as a result, he was still touching his toes right up to the end.”
She, like so many, has fond memories of the doctor.
Dr. Lundy loved to work out and believed in staying fit and healthy. He joined the Cooper Aerobics Center, ran in several marathons, and exercised well into his 90s.
He was a Renaissance man and lifelong learner, taking on subjects like calligraphy and Spanish; while also learning how to snow ski. One of Dr. Lundy’s favorite mantras was, “You have to keep on moving!”
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee (Houchins) Lundy; his parents, Willie nd Hettie (Crumpton) Lundy; four brothers – Isaac Lamar Lundy, Sylvester Lundy, John Donald Lundy, and Augustus Larry Lundy; and three sisters – Carrie L. Hunter, Marzetta Lundy Baldwin, and Bertha Lee Smith.
Dr. Lundy leaves many to cherish loving and lasting memories, including his son, Larry W. Lundy, and his wife, Audrey; his daughter, Andrea, and her husband, Joe Breedlove, Jr.; his grandchildren – Laurence W. Lundy III, McKenna Breedlove, and Joseph Breedlove III; his sister, Lizzie Maye Farr; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of Emerson on Harvest Hill, Carrara Rehabilitation Center, Hillcrest of North Dallas, Medical City Dallas, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, and Faith Presbyterian Hospice Care of T. Boone Pickens Center.
In lieu of flowers, to sup- port scholarship funding for deserving students, memorial donations can be made to the following:
Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, 11881 Schroeder Road, Dallas, Texas 75243
Omega Psi Phi Theta Alpha Foundation, P.O. Box 227083, Dallas, Texas 75222 or Zelle to tafdallas@gmail.com.
Services
VISITATION
Friday
March 8, 2024
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Hamilton Park United
Methodist Church 11881 Schroeder Road
Dallas, TX 75243
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday March 9, 2024
11:00 am Hamilton Park United
Methodist Church 11881 Schroeder Road
Dallas, TX 75243
