Larry Gene Parker

Larry Gene, the son of Mary Lee (Long) and John Parker, was born Feb 12, 1943 in Flagstaff, AZ. He passed peacefully on May 12, 2024 in Oklahoma City, OK. Larry’s dad was a foreman for the Sante Fe railroad where John, Mary Lee, sister Phyllis, and Larry lived for several years in company housing in Page, AZ. At eight years of age Larry moved with his family to Waynoka, OK where he resided until age 16. The family then moved to Grandfield, OK where Larry was a Bearcat on the Grandfield state championship football team. His love of football would continue throughout the rest of his life. One stormy night during a power outage, Larry (physically) bumped into Charla Beth Miller in the First Baptist Church in Grandfield. This chance meeting eventually led to marriage in August of 1963. Larry and Charla moved around a bit in their early years due to education and vocation. Their moves took them to Colorado, Michigan, and then to Enid, OK. Along the way, their two kids Ladd and Lecia were born. Finally, due to a job opportunity, Larry and family settled in Alva, OK where he has resided for 53 years. Larry has been a leader in the Alva community serving as a speech therapist for the Alva Public Schools, a deacon and Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church, and most recently as a school board member. But perhaps his most notable influence in Alva has been as a coach of both college, high school, and junior high athletes. A coach always has an important role and Larry’s impact on the lives of numerous young students is unquantifiable. One final note to a life well lived is Larry’s friendship. Although in his later years, Larry had a decreased ability to communicate due to multiple strokes, he always seemed to know everyone in town. And if he didn’t know someone, he would try to meet them. Larry would often greet people with a hug or handshake and never shied away from encouraging words. He will be sorely missed by friends, family, and community, but enjoying heaven and a perfected body. Larry is survived by wife of 60 years, Charla, sister Phyllis Colyer of Wichita Falls, TX, son Ladd (Judy) Parker of Anchorage, AK, and daughter, Lecia (Mike) Rau of Wylie, TX. Additionally, Larry leaves five wonderful grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Memorials to the First Baptist Church through Wharton Funeral Chapel

Larry Gene Parker

February 12, 1943 - May 12, 2024