Obituary for Larry Lawrence McFerron
BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700................
Longtime Nowata County resident, Larry l. McFerron, passed away in his home January 12, 2019. Born May 8, 1941 in Webb City, Missouri, to Luther and Stella (née Cleveland), Larry was raised in Lawton, Kansas. A 1959 graduate of Columbus High School, Larry’s passion for education started during elementary school when he attended one-room school house in Lawton. His experiences there was the foundation for a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning. He and Linda made certain both of their sons received a college education.
Larry married Linda (née Patton) on March 19, 1965 in Columbus, Kansas. Linda and Larry raised two sons, Pat and Mike, and worked together for 30 years as co-owners of McFerron’s Quality Meats. Larry began his career as a meat cutter in his father’s packing house at the young age of five and started his own business in 1978. Employees and customers became like family, and Larry especially enjoyed tracking the successes of those who had their obtained their first job at McFerron’s Quality Meats, a business he operated for 31 years and 31 days before retiring in 2008. Until just a few months ago, Larry continued in the industry operating a small cow-calf operation in Nowata.
Larry believed in the importance of living a meaningful civic life. He was a former Chair of the Nowata County Republican Party, served on various committees including the Nowata Industrial Board, sponsored little league baseball teams, and proudly supported the youth and the future of agriculture in Nowata County.
Larry enjoyed fishing, and was a prodigious card player, particularly in pinochle and pitch. He often found opportunities during games to pass on words of wisdom such as, “It’s not the cards, it’s how you play them” and “a card laid is a card played.” The first is a statement that everyone is responsible for how they choose to live their life, and the second reminds us all to fulfill the commitments we make. Everyone who dealt with Larry knew his word was his bond. Blessed with a loving family and numerous friends, Larry was dealt pretty good cards, and he played those cards really well.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Eddie Lee.
He is survived by his sister Velta Elmore (Joplin, MO); brother, Paul McFerron (Chelsea, OK); wife of 53 years, Linda; families of their sons: Mike and wife Anne and their son Henry (Lockport, IL); Pat and wife Sharon (Norman, OK) and their children Hattie and Sam (Tulsa, OK).
In lieu of remembrance, the family asks that friends donate to the Nowata County Republican Party or the Shriner’s Hospital.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service.
Longtime Nowata County resident, Larry l. McFerron, passed away in his home January 12, 2019. Born May 8, 1941 in Webb City, Missouri, to Luther and Stella (née Cleveland), Larry was raised in Lawton, Kansas. A 1959 graduate of Columbus High School, Larry’s passion for education started during elementary school when he attended one-room school house in Lawton. His experiences there was the foundation for a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning. He and Linda made certain both of their sons received a college education.
Larry married Linda (née Patton) on March 19, 1965 in Columbus, Kansas. Linda and Larry raised two sons, Pat and Mike, and worked together for 30 years as co-owners of McFerron’s Quality Meats. Larry began his career as a meat cutter in his father’s packing house at the young age of five and started his own business in 1978. Employees and customers became like family, and Larry especially enjoyed tracking the successes of those who had their obtained their first job at McFerron’s Quality Meats, a business he operated for 31 years and 31 days before retiring in 2008. Until just a few months ago, Larry continued in the industry operating a small cow-calf operation in Nowata.
Larry believed in the importance of living a meaningful civic life. He was a former Chair of the Nowata County Republican Party, served on various committees including the Nowata Industrial Board, sponsored little league baseball teams, and proudly supported the youth and the future of agriculture in Nowata County.
Larry enjoyed fishing, and was a prodigious card player, particularly in pinochle and pitch. He often found opportunities during games to pass on words of wisdom such as, “It’s not the cards, it’s how you play them” and “a card laid is a card played.” The first is a statement that everyone is responsible for how they choose to live their life, and the second reminds us all to fulfill the commitments we make. Everyone who dealt with Larry knew his word was his bond. Blessed with a loving family and numerous friends, Larry was dealt pretty good cards, and he played those cards really well.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Eddie Lee.
He is survived by his sister Velta Elmore (Joplin, MO); brother, Paul McFerron (Chelsea, OK); wife of 53 years, Linda; families of their sons: Mike and wife Anne and their son Henry (Lockport, IL); Pat and wife Sharon (Norman, OK) and their children Hattie and Sam (Tulsa, OK).
In lieu of remembrance, the family asks that friends donate to the Nowata County Republican Party or the Shriner’s Hospital.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service.