Larry Nelson Larkin

Larry was born in Pampa, Texas, where he grew up and formed lifelong friendships. Over the years, he also lived in Lubbock, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Mansfield, Texas; Lakeway, Texas—each place adding to a life rich with memories, relationships, and stories. His witty personality and quick humor naturally drew people to him, and many of those friendships lasted a lifetime.

Larry spent his professional career as a Controller for Sears, where he was respected for his dedication and work ethic.

Above all else, Larry was passionate about his family. One of his greatest treasures was the deep love he shared with his wife, Mimi; their 49 years of marriage were his greatest success, and he found great comfort in the enduring bond and love they shared. Their relationship was playful, affectionate, and deeply rooted in daily connection. Whenever they had been apart, he would greet her with a sly grin and a kiss, often followed by a flirtatious pat on the butt that he seemed to believe would get him out of trouble. They loved sharing the rhythms of everyday life together, whether it was three meals a day, quiet evenings watching movies, or slipping out for simple “Costco dates” just to spend time together eating hot dogs and pizza. Larry also loved cars, the faster the better, and took great joy in gardening alongside his wife.

He cherished time spent with his children, their spouses, and his beloved grandchildren, especially family dinners and simple moments together. As a father, he was always present, not only offering guidance, but showing up side by side, coaching sports, asking thoughtful questions, and tackling projects together. He had a special way of turning everyday moments into time well spent, whether it was replacing a garage door opener, building a retaining wall, or repairing something the dog had torn apart, often with a little shared frustration, ten trips to Home Depot, and a lot of laughter.

As a grandfather, he brought that same energy and joy, starting with visiting the hospital to welcome his grandchildren into the world. He loved nothing more than holding his grandbabies, and as they grew older, he especially cherished sleepovers filled with powder donuts, cartoons, and blow-up mattresses spread across the den. He showed up for their games, school events, birthdays, and all the moments in between, and his greatest goal was to make sure each of them always knew how deeply they were loved.

Larry loved games and the connection they created across generations. He especially enjoyed cribbage, pool, and a little bit of ping pong, which he introduced to his children at a young age and turned into lasting family traditions carried on for years with family and friends. He had a natural gift for games, combining strategy, a bit of bluffing, and a competitive spirit that usually resulted in him winning. Those moments of friendly competition, laughter, and time together were among his favorites, especially a simple lunch and a competitive game of cribbage with his best friend Mimi.

Golf was another lifelong passion and a meaningful way he connected with those he cared about. He spent countless evenings at the range and early weekend mornings on the course, sharing the game with his boys. A true student of golf, he was known for his exceptional short game and his belief that “putting is all mental,” a philosophy he proved right time and again.

Time spent with his parents, brothers, and extended family was especially meaningful to him and remained close to his heart throughout his life. He made it a priority to stay connected, often traveling to be with family for holidays, especially returning to Pampa for Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. He shared a special bond with his mother and loved nothing more than sitting with her for hours, while bantering with his brothers over who would get the last slice of chocolate pie. These visits were filled with family time, whether catching up, sharing stories, or working with his brothers on projects like building a screened-in deck for their mom.

Larry is survived by his wife, Mimi Larkin; his children Nelson Larkin and wife Elizabeth, and Neal Larkin and wife Morgan; and his grandchildren Van Larkin, Jax Larkin, Elliot Mayers, and Samuel Mayers. He is also survived by his siblings Lloyd Larkin of Amarillo, Texas, and Ron Larkin and wife Kay Larkin of Pampa, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Lori Larkin; his parents William Larkin and Nellie Larkin, both of Pampa, Texas; and his siblings Donald Larkin and Charlotte Larkin.

Larry will be remembered for his devotion to family, his love of life’s simple pleasures, and a wit that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.