Larry Dale Basinger, 85, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away Friday, January 17, 2025 in his home. He was born at home October 10, 1939 in Hartford, Arkansas to Jeff and Stella Basinger. After high school, he went to College of the Ozarks on a full football scholarship as kicker. He started as a freshman on the kickoff and punt teams. Although he loved the game, he loved the family farm more and returned home to run the dairy and cattle businesses with his father after only one semester at college. He eventually retired the dairy farm and became the custodian and a bus driver for Hartford Schools. He ran the after school student work program where he taught many a young person the importance of hard work and pride in doing a good job. He loved a good free throw contest and horsing around with the students and his good buddy Leon Burrows.
Other than his family, which he loved fiercely, was the farm in West Hartford where he loved to hunt, garden and work the land on his tractor. In the fall he was in the deer woods and spring, turkey hunting (50+ years with hunting buddy JC Griffith). He was a lover of all animals and tamed many raccoons and squirrels, feeding them by hand from his front porch.
He is survived by three daughters, Leisa Moore and husband, Vondal of Charleston, Shari Hester and husband, Roy of Ozark and Cathy Ford and husband, James of Greenwood, nine grandchildren, Miranda Belt, Josiah Moore, Kyle Hester, Jeremy Moore, Emily Bryant, Connor Johnson, Patrick Ford, Joshua Moore and Crissa Johnson and nineteen great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ray Basinger and three sisters, Connie Ford, Veneda Riddle and Betty Stallings.
The love and kindness from many neighbors and friends throughout the years is so appreciated, especially Jerry Dale Davis and family whom he loved like his own.
The family will have a private service at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
