Larry Irwin Bradfute

Larry was born the middle child of three boys in Houston and spent his early years in the Houston/Porter area and a brief time in Claremore, Oklahoma before his family settled in Conroe. He attended Crockett Elementary, Travis Junior High, and graduated from Conroe High in 1979. He was not the best of students and spent as much time studying as he did trying to skip classes. He worked in construction for a few years before becoming a machinist at Sparkler Filters. He was working there when he met Debbie at a bar, Kicker Kountry, in Conroe during the summer of 1982. They were married in April of 1984 and settled in Conroe. They were blessed with a baby girl, Laura, two years later. Larry continued to work as a machinist while Debbie attended Sam Houston State University to become a teacher. They welcomed their second daughter, Danielle, in July of 1994. Debbie was hired as teacher at Runyan Elementary in August of 1994 and Larry left his machinist job to stay home to take care of Danielle. During that time, he began taking classes at night working towards a degree in education as well. Larry and Debbie were blessed with one more child in October of 1995. This time a son, Kyle. In December of 1998, Larry graduated from Sam Houston State University, top of his class with a 4.0 GPA and was hired as a PE teacher at Wilkerson Intermediate. After working at Wilkinson for several years, he learned he had kidney cancer. His kidney was removed in 2002, and he enjoyed 13 years of remission. During that time, he learned he had an aptitude for leadership and earned his Master of Education in Administration in December of 2004. He worked as an Assistant Principal at Wilkerson Intermediate where he perfected his skills. Larry moved to Bozman Intermediate to help open that campus in 2009. He learned his cancer journey would continue in 2015 when it was discovered his kidney cancer had metastasized. He continued as Assistant Principal there for several years until 2021 when he helped open Stockton Junior High all while continuing his treatment. Larry passed away on July 21, 2025, at MD Anderson Cancer Center, surrounded by his family.

Larry loved traveling with his family. They most recently took a road trip in June 2025 through Branson, Green Bay, and Chicago. He was an avid gardener and was always out in the yard tending to his vegetables. Larry was nature-minded and did his part for the environment. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and was able to attend several games throughout the years. Larry enjoyed any competition, Fantasy Football, family game nights, golf, softball, or anything else he could win. Larry was kind but tough. He was dependable and trustworthy. He was honest to a fault. He loved his job, his staff, his students, his friends, and his family with his whole heart. Those that knew him will carry a part of him in their hearts forever.

Larry is survived by his wife; Debbie Bradfute, children; Laura Roberts and husband Stephen, Danielle Bradfute, Kyle Bradfute, grandchildren; McKenzie and Luke Roberts, brother; Rick Bradfute and wife Linda, mother-in-law; Nancy Colegrove, sisters-in-law; Sherie Pallotta and husband Antonio, Carla Blankenship and husband Les.

Larry is also survived by many other family members and close friends.