all Oral History
June 20, 2011

Larry Golman

Larry Golman was born at Methodist Hospital in Dallas on September 21, 1932, into a large immigrant family. His father emigrated from Russia, arriving in Galveston in 1911 and coming to Dallas at the invitation of relatives who ran a bakery, while his mother's family came from the Russian-Polish border region and worked in the produce business. Larry grew up with dozens of first cousins in the Oak Cliff neighborhood, where his family built a home. His father became a leader in the baking industry, an innovator in bread production, and an active civic figure, serving as president of the Shearith Israel congregation and earning recognition as an outstanding citizen of Oak Cliff.

Larry attended Rosemont Elementary, Sunset High School, and the University of Texas, where he was active in a fraternity, campus organizations, and the tennis team, and later earned his law degree. After being drafted into the United States Army in 1956, he served as a legal advisor to his unit before returning to Dallas. Rather than practicing law, he joined the family baking business, which he remained with until it was forced into bankruptcy in 1972 amid fierce competition. He then built a career in commercial real estate brokerage, eventually opening his own office in 1985 and continuing that work for decades.

On July 5, 1957, Larry met Kate Gilbert on a blind date, and they married on November 30, 1958, remaining together for more than 43 years until her death. They raised three children and were blessed with ten grandchildren. A devoted keeper of Jewish tradition, Larry maintained regular Shabbat and holiday gatherings and did much of the cooking himself. He gave extensive volunteer service, sitting on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Jewish Community Foundation, Shearith Israel, and legacy senior communities, and doing pro bono real estate work for Jewish and civic causes. He lives by simple philosophies about staying young at heart and cherishing each day and the people you love.

He credited mentors including his university tennis coach and family friend Jack Evans, and expressed deep gratitude for the many people, Jewish and non-Jewish, who shaped his life and community.