Larry Dwaine Mabry

Larry lived in Dallas until the age of four. Following his parents’ divorce, he went to live with his Aunt Sadie and later, along with Gary, came to call Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito, Texas, home. Larry often said that what might have seemed like a difficult beginning turned out to be one of the great blessings of his life. It was there that he was introduced to Christ and began a lifelong relationship with his Lord and Savior.

Larry was also a gifted athlete. Basketball was his best sport, and he was also an excellent football player. His love of sports stayed with him throughout his life. He especially loved watching football and was a devoted Dallas Cowboys and Texas Tech fan, as well as a fan of the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers.

After graduating from high school, Larry took a summer missionary trip to Switzerland with a church group. With the support of Sunny Glen, he later attended Lubbock Christian University, where he met the love of his life, Kay. After dating for nine months, Larry and Kay were married on August 8, 1970, at Fargo Church of Christ in Vernon, Texas.

They made their first home in Lubbock, where Larry began his career as a sales representative for Waples Platter. Their son, Robert “Bob” Mabry, was born in August of 1972, followed by their daughter, Rhonda Mabry, in June of 1976.

In 1977, the family moved to Dimmitt, Texas, where Larry served as drug manager for Dimmitt Supermarket. In the summer of 1981, they moved to Clarendon, where he managed Bylow Supermarket, later IGA. During his years in Clarendon, Larry coached Little League baseball, served as a deacon at the Clarendon Church of Christ, and was a member of the Lions Club.

In August 1986, Larry and his family moved to Wichita Falls, where he would spend the rest of his life. He worked for Albertsons for approximately 17 years, eventually serving as drug manager, and later joined Walgreens as an EXA manager. He remained with Walgreens until his retirement in 2016. Larry and his family were longtime members of Faith Village Church of Christ in Wichita Falls.

But it was never Larry’s jobs or titles that defined him. It was the energy, humor, faith, and generous heart he brought everywhere he went.

Larry had an extraordinary work ethic. He worked long hours without complaint and took great pride in providing for his family. Coworkers throughout his life remembered how incredibly hard he worked—and how much he made them laugh.

Larry had a zest for life and truly never met a stranger. His outgoing personality could turn an ordinary encounter into a conversation, a laugh, or a new friend. He found genuine happiness in making other people happy. He was compassionate and generous, always asking what someone needed or what he could do to help.

Above all, Larry loved his family and loved Jesus. His faith was not something he kept to himself. Friends, coworkers, and even strangers heard the simple words he loved to share:

“You’ve got a friend in Jesus.”

In his later years, Larry faced kidney disease and six years of dialysis with the same determination that characterized his life. And, as Larry himself would surely be glad to point out, kidney disease did not get the final word.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Leon Mabry; his mother, Juanita Butler; his brother, Marlin Mabry; several beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law who became his family in every sense of the word; and a nephew.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Mabry; his son, Robert “Bob” Mabry; his daughter, Rhonda Mabry, and son-in-law, Scott Trimble; his grandsons, Caden Cluley and Matthew “Mac” Cluley; his twin brother, Gary Mabry, and wife, Dixie Mabry; his half-brother, Marshall Butler; his sister, Sandra Kercho, and husband, Robert Kercho; and his brother, J.D. Mabry.

Larry will be remembered for his remarkable work ethic, his giving heart, his unmistakable sense of humor, his devotion to his family, his love of sports, and a faith he was never afraid to share.

He worked hard. He loved generously. He made people laugh. And through it all, he wanted everyone to know: “You’ve got a friend in Jesus.”