I too have been scouring the net looking for info on the writer for this song. My search led me to this thread. I remember also hearing it performed on Mt. Stage live, I remember recording it and listening to it enough to be able to play it but the last time I tried to find the tape it was missing :( . I believe you may be right that it was Larry singing it but I can't be certain.

I remember just a couple of the lines a bit differently.

In the first verse I think it might be
"on the road as I drove through the town"

In the second verse I remember it as
"That man he was a pitiful sight" instead of beautiful
and
"God I hope you win some"
Again this was many many years ago and the ol' memory may not be what it used to.

This is such a wonderful song, and everyone I've sung it for says the same. Just wish I could give credit where it's due!