James Lawrence Cuthill

Rev. Dr. James Lawrence Cuthill

James Lawrence Cuthill, known to his friends as Larry, was born in Florence, Alabama on November 23, 1946. He graduated from Boone High School, in Orlando, FL and the University of Florida, in Gainesville, FL. In his senior year of college, he heard the call of the Lord to the ministry and in 1969, following graduation from the University of Florida, he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary. There he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1972 and returned there in 1980 to a Doctor of Ministry program, receiving that degree in 1984.

Larry served Presbyterian churches for fifty-three years in Atlanta, GA; Daytona Beach, FL; Bremen, GA; West Point, GA; Gulf Breeze, FL; Winter Park, FL and Glenwood, FL.

His faith was the foundation of his life, which guided his every step. He never wanted to stop growing in wisdom, grace, and love as a servant of Jesus and humanity. A scholar and a shepherd, Larry used his education not to overawe, but to lift others up. His legacy is found not in the degrees he earned but in the countless lives he guided toward grace.

Beyond the pulpit, Larry was known for his wonderful sense of humor and his love of traveling, fishing, learning, gardening and people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Cuthill, his former wife Susan Cuthill, his daughter Robin, and sister-in-law Florene J. (Rene) Cuthill.

He is survived by his wife Patti Cuthill, sister Sharon Hirschy (Kerry), sister Martha Cuthill Moss, brother R.W. (Bill) Cuthill Jr., three children, Craig, Christopher, and Katy; two stepchildren, Krissy Kasper (David), and Karli Kasper; eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

This retelling fails to capture the deep and abiding love with siblings, children, grandchildren, in laws, friends, colleagues, and the myriads of others who felt the warmth, friendship, brilliance and compassion that will forever echo out from the life of Larry Cuthill.

He passed peacefully after years of service to the Lord and all his collected family, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, surrounded by his family. It was perhaps a final testament to his life’s work that he was called home on Easter Sunday, the day of Resurrection.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church DeLand, 724 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL, on Saturday May 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to: The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund (pcusa.org/pda); Alliance for International Reforestation (airguatemala.org); or The Cuban Presbyterian Church (via fpcdeland.org).

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