Larry Leroy Gibson

Larry Leroy Gibson, 69, died May 4, 2022, at his home in Broken Arrow, Okla.

H e was born Sept. 24, 1952, in Oakley to Duane and Betty (Walz) Gibson, Monument.

Larry was the third of five children. He attended Monument Consolidated School until he graduated from the eighth grade.

Betty passed away in 1965 and Duane passed away in 1968. Brothers Larry and Ferman were lucky enough to have the Wilson Fink family take them in. Lee and Larry were just like brothers.

Later they moved to the DeWitt Beougher farm. In 1966, Monument unified with Oakley creating USD 274 and Larry graduated in 1970 from OHS.

During high school, he worked for area farmers and worked with his dad farming. From a young age he loved fast cars and motorcycles. At the age of 12 he would ride his motorcycle to Winona from Monument on the dirt roads, but he had to wait until his dad went to the field because he sure did not have permission.

When he wasn’t riding his bike or motorcycle he was eating Mom’s chocolate chip cookies out of the deep freeze with the Schoenfeld and Moore boys.

After graduation, he went to work for Eberle Construction and then he applied at the feedlot. He talked to Dick Kvasnicka about the job and Dick said, “I don’t think I know you.” Larry said, “Yes you do. You wrote my dad and I enough tickets to fill a glovebox.”

And he got the job!

Larry and LaRae Engel were married in April of 1976. They had one son, Clinton.

After a few years, Larry started working in the oil fields. Larry loved to see the country. He spent many happy hours fishing in the Durango area and other places with Clint when he was small.

Larry, LaRae and Clint traveled all over the western United States and he loved the many rides to Sturgis, S.D. and other places with his friends. Larry and his sister, Janet, were able to take several trips together around the USA.

But when you went with Larry you had to be fast because we saw our great country at 80 mph.

Although Larry and LaRea didn’t stay married, he remained an integral part of her and Clint’s life. He was a cherished member of her own family and was always welcome around the Engel table.

His passing means there will be an empty spot in their hearts. Larry always said that LaRea was his best friend.

No one loved a joke or a good prank more than him. Many people over the years were the target of his good humor. Larry’s laughter was contagious and the faces of his friends and family would light up when he came into a room. Pitch games won’t be the same without him.

In 1993, Larry moved to the Tulsa, Okla., area. He started Gibson Trucking and he bought a couple of dump trucks and went to work. He retired just a year or so ago.

Even as he grew older his passion for fast cars and motorcycles was still there. He shared that love with his grandson, Logan.

He was everyone’s favorite uncle and he loved his nieces and nephews. He loved coyote hunting with Tate and the boys anytime he was in Oakley. He was a great mentor/uncle to a lot of kids in Oklahoma also.

He was always someone you could count on. He would be there when you needed him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty (1965), Duane (1968); brother, Ernest Lee (1951); sister, Amy Lorraine (1957); brother-in-law, Butch Collins (2014) and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his best friend, LaRae Flanary and husband Marvin; son, Clint Gibson and wife, Amy; grandchildren, Logan Gibson and wife, Rachel West and Randi Gibson; his brother, Ferman and niece Amanda; sister, Janet Collins; nieces Jodi Hansen and husband, Curtis, Jacque Willems and husband, Brad, and Traci Hazelton and husband, Ron; a nephew, Tate Collins, and their families and his many friends that are too numerous to list.

A friend to all, he will be missed by many!

The funeral service will be Sat., May 21, 10:00 a.m., at the United Christian Church, 229 Center Ave., Oakley.

Burial will be in the Monument Cemetery.