NC Department of Correction - Correction News - February 1999

MONROE — After more than two and a half decades of service, the man known for his loud voice and his kind heart retired from the Department of Correction Dec. 31.

Friends and co-workers gathered at the old South Piedmont Area Office in Concord on the last day of 1998 to say farewell and good luck to Larry Shoe, superintendent of Union Correctional Center.

"Larry Shoe roars like a lion, but he’s as gentle as a pussycat," said Mike York, superintendent of the new Albermarle Correctional Institution and former administrator of the South Piedmont Area Office. "He has a heart of gold. He’s one of those people that would give you the shirt off his back."

York said he has known Shoe since 1976, and over the years, the two have worked together and for one another.

"I worked for him, and he’s worked for me," he said. "But, all along, we have been more like friends than co-workers. Larry’s just a good guy."

Friends like York are what Shoe said he is going to miss most during his retirement.

"The big thing that stands out for me when I think about my career is the people I’ve worked with over the years," he said. "I’ve made some dear friends and some wonderful memories working with this organization."

Shoe began his career with the department in 1973 as a correctional officer at Cabarrus Correctional Center and was later promoted to sergeant in 1976. In 1983 he became a lieutenant and transferred to Rowan Correctional Center. While at Rowan, his position was upgraded to assistant superintendent. In 1987 Shoe was promoted to superintendent of Stanly Correctional Center and, in 1989, he became district manager for the South Piedmont Area Office. Due to the reduction in force, this position was terminated, and in 1993, Shoe was reassigned as an extradition lieutenant. He was appointed to superintendent of Union Correctional Center in 1995.

Shoe said serving as an extradition lieutenant was one of the more enjoyable periods of his career. As an extradition officer, he traveled a large portion of the United States transporting inmates to and from North Carolina.

"I really enjoyed doing extraditions," he said. "I like traveling and meeting new people, so I may try to do some extradition work for the department on a contract basis. I haven’t really decided yet."

Whether he does extraditions or not, Shoe said he has plenty to keep him busy during his retirement.

"I plan on doing a lot of golfing, some fishing and some hunting," he said, "and my wife has already started showing me how to do the housework."

Shoe said, although few people know it, he is a big goat farmer and is looking forward to spending time working with his goats and possibly pursuing work in real estate or sales. Whatever he decides, Shoe said he is looking forward to the changes that come along with retirement.

"Change is the spark of life," he said. "The only way we grow as individuals is through change. I’ve been fortunate through my career to hold several different positions in different locations and was able to gain a lot of experience and expertise." u