Larry W. Freeze

Larry Wayne Freeze was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 1, 1935 to Clarence and Lela Freeze. Larry was the second and only surviving child of their three sons. He was raised in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Larry graduated from Tuttle High School and went to college for a year before he made the decision to join the United States Air Force which took him to Europe and training schools where he learned about airplane mechanics during the Korean War. It was while he was on leave, that he was introduced to the love of his life, Mary Ellen Moore. He was smitten with her right away and asked her to break a date with someone else so they could go out. She agreed. He said she was the prettiest thing he ever laid eyes on. After a short courtship, they were married and soon thereafter, Larry was shipped off to Germany where Mary soon followed. When returning home after his service, Larry used his knowledge of airplane mechanics to acquire a job with American Airlines. Larry and Mary moved from Oklahoma to Texas and then to California where they raised their five children, Linda, Gayla, Patrick, Michael, and Marla. Larry took his family on many camping and fishing trips that always included their lifelong friends, the Freeman Family. Larry worked for American Airlines for 36 years until retiring. He loved to spend his time fishing and going to the Reno Air Races. He loved to travel and the outdoors. In the past several years, Mary and Larry spent much of their time in Oklahoma at Blunt Baptist Church. They volunteered their time and resources helping people in their community, assisting refugees from Hurricane Katrina that had been relocated near their home. Larry loved playing music with his new friends there. Most of all however, he loved his family. He was the ultimate trickster and loved a good laugh. His eleven grandchildren and three great-grand children were, what he considered, his greatest accomplishment. Larry was well loved by everyone that came to know him. In his last days at St. Jude Hospital, even the nurses and doctors caring for him remarked about that smile, his kindness, and remarkable courtesy he showed them even through his pain. He was wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His absence will be felt for a long time to come but the mark he made on the world is significant. He left this life better than he found it.