Mr. Larry Leo Faughn

Larry Leo Faughn was born May 17, 1941 to Iva Mae Snowden and Willard Leo Faughn of Murphysboro,ll and was one of two children. Larry was a good student and excelled in basketball and football, later to be inducted in to Murphysboro's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. He also was the senior class treasurer. During his high school and early college summers, he worked at the YMCA helping with an equine therapy group.

Larry attended Southern Illinois University, in the ROTC program, majoring in math. Upon graduation in 1963, he was commissioned into the United States Marine Corp and married Nancy Smith, mother of his two children, Laura and Steve.

During his 4 years in the Marines, Larry spent 14 months in Chu Lai, Vietnam, where he was Platoon Commander. Upon completion of this tour of duty, he was promoted to Captain and awarded the Bronze Star Medal With Combat Distinguishing Device. It was a source of pride that he was able to bring his troops back without a casualty during a period that took so many lives. He must have made a deep impression on his troops because 20 to 30 years later, men reached out to him by phone and letter, which touched Larry deeply. Larry recalled while attending an officers' reunion, the only one he ever attended, he had more friends and connections with the non- commissioned troops than with the officers.

Upon discharge from the Marines, Larry joined IBM for a 32 year career as a Systems Engineer, working in St. Louis, San Jose, Chicago, and eventually Dallas. He and Diane married in 1978, moving around the country with their menagerie, two dogs, two cats, and a pair of Love Birds, settling in Dallas and adding horses, goats, geese and ducks. Larry eagerly accepted the challenge of landscaping, building a barn and raising horses. Shortly after retirement, the home was on the Grapevine-Southlake Home Tour.

Larry was a man of many talents. Diane originally met him through his beautiful photography which was always on display in her office. After retirement he became a Master Nurserymen, putting his natural talent to work at several nurseries. At age 62, he took up furniture making, adorning his home with his beautiful woodwork. Once the house was bursting at the seams, Larry took up making stained glass. Many people were interested in purchasing his furniture and stained glass but Larry was more interested in giving it away. He was always generous with gifts and his time.

More important than his artistic skills, Larry made long-lasting friendships, never hesitating to lend a hand to a friend. He made memories everywhere he went. A favorite memory from San Jose was Larry agreeing to attend a Halloween party as Snow White. That was also the year he threw his boss into the pool. Everyone who knew Larry has stories that will remain in our hearts. Even during his last 2 months, he endeared himself to hospital staff and caregivers.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Iva Mae and Leo Faughn. He is survived by Diane, sister Alice and his much loved children Laura and Steve. Also, surviving Larry are his two beloved grandsons Tyler and Evan.

Graveside services will be 2:30pm, December 17, 2020 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

The graveside service will be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, use the link below for Toys for Tots.