Larry Dean Innis

Larry Dean Innis, LT Commander US PHS Commissioned Corps Reserve, 78, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from complications of COVID after a long illness. Larry was born August 26, 1942 in Woodward, OK to James Newton Innis and Jeralyn Riddle Innis. He spent his elementary years in Woodward but moved to Laverne, OK where he resided with his Great Aunt Sylvia Grace and Uncle Glen. He graduated from Laverne High School in 1960. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK then transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State College School of Pharmacy in Weatherford, OK in 1963. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1966, was the recipient of the Eli Lilly Excellence Award and received his Doctorate of Pharmacy several years later.

While attending pharmacy school in 1965, Larry met Paula Sue White of Cleburne, TX, a first year pharmacy student, and it was love at first sight. They were married in July 1966 and he was appointed to the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service to serve at the Indian Health Services in Winslow, AZ until 1968. Their daughter Ashley was born in Winslow in 1967 and they purchased their first of many dachshunds, Schnaps.

Larry returned to Woodward and worked as a retail pharmacist while active in several state pharmacy organizations. He served in several capacities in civic organizations at local and state levels as president of the Jaycees. He returned to SWOSU in 1973 as an instructor of Pharmaceutical Dispensing and Calculations at the College of Pharmacy while Paula finished her pharmacy degree.

The family moved to Gainesville, TX in 1975 where Larry was employed by Page Drug until 1989 when he transferred to Fort Worth. He retired from Walgreens in 2007 after serving the community as a retail pharmacist for 40 years. He served as a pharmacy preceptor for pharmacy intern students and encouraged many students to choose pharmacy as their careers.

Larry was active in the Dallas-Fort Worth Dachshund Club and served as president twice then on the Board of Directors for many years. He became a licensed AKC Judge for Dachshund Field Events and enjoyed driving his van and later the RV to field events all over the US after his retirement. He and his dachshund, Chip, received many titles in field, obedience, agility and dog shows.

He felt strongly about his Scottish roots and was a fundamental part the Texas Scottish Festival in Arlington, TX for 30 years, where he served as Clan Tent Coordinator. He served the Innes Clan Society as president, treasurer and as the Texas Commissioner for 20 years. On a memorable trip to Scotland in 1996, while serving as president of the Innes Clan, he was bestowed the honorary title ‘Esquire’ by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Sir Malcolm Innes, 16th of Edingight.

Larry loved his wife and daughter wholeheartedly. He enjoyed his dachshunds, gatherings with family and friends, dancing, golfing, cruising in his 55 T-bird, OU Sooner football and having a wee dram with friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and he is survived by his wife and his dachshund, Deacon, his daughter Ashley Innis Dumas and husband Stephen of Irving, grandchildren Cassidy and Alex Dumas, brothers Richard Innis of Friendswood and James Innis of Gainesville and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in Larry's honor to either the DFW Dachshund Rescue Foundation: http://members.petfinder.com/~TX686/homepage.htm

or the Veterans Administration , VA Southwest Heart of Texas, VISN 17 North Texas https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/52251716 Fort Worth Outpatient Clinics