Obituary for Lloyd Gross "Chip" Lazarus Sr.
Lloyd G. “Chip” Lazarus, 87, of Roanoke, VA, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.
Chip was born in Roanoke in 1933, the only child to Si and Susan Lazarus. He graduated from Augusta Military Academy and went on to study at VMI, where he graduated with the Class of 1955. Following university Chip entered the United States Air Force and served in Japan from 1956-1959. After serving his country Chip spent time working at B. Altmans in New York and Thalhimers in Richmond. It was during this time in Richmond that he met the love of his life, Lee, whom he married at the Duke Chapel in 1961.
His family’s business, Lazarus Stores, was a part of his life from the day he was born. His parents founded the company in 1924 as a millinery store that provided fine hats to notable women all over the country. In 1928 they added the Dress division. After gaining experience working in other cities, Chip returned to Roanoke with his new bride in 1961 to assume control of his family’s business. Chip and Lee transformed Lazarus into a nine-store division that served the Southwestern part of Virginia. The business was then providing everything from furs, bridals, shoes, and lingerie.
Outside of his professional life Chip was fond of many outdoor recreational activities. He loved tennis, saltwater fishing, bird hunting, and was an amazing snow skier. Chip also greatly enjoyed spending time with his lifelong friends from VMI. Together with Lee he raised a family on a 26-acre farm in Roanoke County, which they eventually sold to the developer of McVitty Forest. Chip relished being close to water, so he and Lee moved their home to Smith Mountain Lake after selling the farm. They were married for 57 years when she passed away from ALS in 2019.
Left to share many years of fond memories of Chip are his children, Anna Lazarus McDonald (Tom) of Linville, NC, Lloyd G. “Chipper” Lazarus Jr., and Susan Lazarus Bailey (Jim); and three granddaughters, Katherine Tyler Bailey of Aspen, CO, Carrington Lee Bailey of Richmond, VA, and Elizabeth Casey Bailey.
The family wishes to thank The Glebe for their dedicated care and attention the past two years. Special thanks are also paid to Good Samaritan Hospice, and to Eileen Edwards for her longtime friendship, help, and devoted care to Chip. In lieu of flowers the family invites friends to make contributions in Chip’s honor to Second Presbyterian Church or the Rescue Mission. Arrangements by Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel.
Chip was born in Roanoke in 1933, the only child to Si and Susan Lazarus. He graduated from Augusta Military Academy and went on to study at VMI, where he graduated with the Class of 1955. Following university Chip entered the United States Air Force and served in Japan from 1956-1959. After serving his country Chip spent time working at B. Altmans in New York and Thalhimers in Richmond. It was during this time in Richmond that he met the love of his life, Lee, whom he married at the Duke Chapel in 1961.
His family’s business, Lazarus Stores, was a part of his life from the day he was born. His parents founded the company in 1924 as a millinery store that provided fine hats to notable women all over the country. In 1928 they added the Dress division. After gaining experience working in other cities, Chip returned to Roanoke with his new bride in 1961 to assume control of his family’s business. Chip and Lee transformed Lazarus into a nine-store division that served the Southwestern part of Virginia. The business was then providing everything from furs, bridals, shoes, and lingerie.
Outside of his professional life Chip was fond of many outdoor recreational activities. He loved tennis, saltwater fishing, bird hunting, and was an amazing snow skier. Chip also greatly enjoyed spending time with his lifelong friends from VMI. Together with Lee he raised a family on a 26-acre farm in Roanoke County, which they eventually sold to the developer of McVitty Forest. Chip relished being close to water, so he and Lee moved their home to Smith Mountain Lake after selling the farm. They were married for 57 years when she passed away from ALS in 2019.
Left to share many years of fond memories of Chip are his children, Anna Lazarus McDonald (Tom) of Linville, NC, Lloyd G. “Chipper” Lazarus Jr., and Susan Lazarus Bailey (Jim); and three granddaughters, Katherine Tyler Bailey of Aspen, CO, Carrington Lee Bailey of Richmond, VA, and Elizabeth Casey Bailey.
The family wishes to thank The Glebe for their dedicated care and attention the past two years. Special thanks are also paid to Good Samaritan Hospice, and to Eileen Edwards for her longtime friendship, help, and devoted care to Chip. In lieu of flowers the family invites friends to make contributions in Chip’s honor to Second Presbyterian Church or the Rescue Mission. Arrangements by Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel.