Larry Johnson, former cabdriver

Larry Johnson was a popular figure in his West Philadelphia neighborhood.

He would sit on his porch at 51st and Haverford and greet the neighbors as they passed by. Most would stop and chat. The conversations were often about wrestling or sci-fi shows, his favorite forms of entertainment.

Larry Johnson, longtime cabdriver who especially enjoyed family get-togethers, died last Wednesday of heart failure. He was 56.

There was one other important ingredient to Larry's recent years - Sam, the cat.

"He loved Sam," said his sister, Louise Nichols. "Sam was so fat he could just about waddle, but Larry loved him and took care of him for about the last four years."

Larry was born in Columbus, Ga., to Orlando and Rebecca Johnson. He was brought to Philadelphia at an early age and attended West Philadelphia High School.

After school, he worked for a time for Blue Bird Foods, a frozen-food company in South Philadelphia. When it went out of business, he started driving a cab for the Quaker City Cab Co. He retired about six years ago, after 13 years behind the wheel.

Larry was a passionate fan of professional wrestling, and would catch the events at the old Arena in West Philadelphia and at other venues. He also enjoyed science-fiction shows on TV.

He became incapacitated in recent years, but his family would pick him up and take him to family dinners and get-togethers.

Larry was a loyal member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, in West Philadelphia, and after he was no longer able to get there on his own, family members would take him.

Besides his sister and parents, he is survived by three brothers, Louis, Robert and Francisco, and another sister, Sharon Johnson Owens.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 56th and Vine streets. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery.