Obituary for Larry Raymond Herring
LARRY RAYMOND HERRING
January 25, 1943 – January 2, 2021
On January 25, 1943, Larry Raymond Herring was born to R. L. “Buck” and Madelon Herring in Altus, Oklahoma where his artistic talent flourished at the age of 3 when his tiny fingers discovered modeling clay from which he created miniature vehicles and animals. Reading by the age of four, he attended Robert E. Lee and Washington Elementary Schools where he excelled in art, music, and sports.
Upon graduation from Altus High School in 1961, Larry was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. There he sang tenor in the choir and competed as a long distance runner on the Navy track team. In 1962 he transferred to Oklahoma State University to study architecture. There he pledged Beta Theta Pi, enjoyed Greek life and theatre while excelling in musicals and capturing multiple awards in architecture with his creative designs.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was trained as a helicopter pilot. In the Viet Nam War, he flew multiple missions returning the wounded and deceased to safety. For his service and daring rescues, Captain Herring was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. From Viet Nam, he was sent to Thailand to establish a historical account of the US Army’s presence in Asia through photography and art.
Following military service, Larry obtained additional certification in architecture & design at the University of Illinois and began to practice architecture professionally in Oklahoma City and eventually throughout the United States and China. He also was a Master of Aikido and taught classes for a number of years.
In June of 1978, he wed Brenda Michaelis and they made their home in Oklahoma City and he practiced architecture, and enjoyed entertaining and traveling with special friends. They were blessed with a son, Preston, in 1980, and a daughter, Chelsea Anna, in 1983. Following retirement, he enjoyed cooking, photography, painting, gardening, and music.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Madelon Inzer Herring, and father, Buck Herring. He is survived by a son, Preston, of Oklahoma City, daughter Chelsea & husband, Robert Schafer and their sons Henry and Wyatt, Denver, CO; sisters Gloria Rustmann, Altus, and Kathy McMahan and husband, Robert, Altus; niece Gabrielle Barnett and nephews Trey Rustmann, Cole McMahan, and Matt McMahan.
Special thanks and appreciation to cousin Barbara Roberts for her love and devotion to Larry and his dog, Parker. On weekends, the VA hospital staff always expected Barbara and Parker to arrive in her pickup to take Larry for ice cream and an afternoon drive.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. January 6, 2021, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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January 25, 1943 – January 2, 2021
On January 25, 1943, Larry Raymond Herring was born to R. L. “Buck” and Madelon Herring in Altus, Oklahoma where his artistic talent flourished at the age of 3 when his tiny fingers discovered modeling clay from which he created miniature vehicles and animals. Reading by the age of four, he attended Robert E. Lee and Washington Elementary Schools where he excelled in art, music, and sports.
Upon graduation from Altus High School in 1961, Larry was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. There he sang tenor in the choir and competed as a long distance runner on the Navy track team. In 1962 he transferred to Oklahoma State University to study architecture. There he pledged Beta Theta Pi, enjoyed Greek life and theatre while excelling in musicals and capturing multiple awards in architecture with his creative designs.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was trained as a helicopter pilot. In the Viet Nam War, he flew multiple missions returning the wounded and deceased to safety. For his service and daring rescues, Captain Herring was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. From Viet Nam, he was sent to Thailand to establish a historical account of the US Army’s presence in Asia through photography and art.
Following military service, Larry obtained additional certification in architecture & design at the University of Illinois and began to practice architecture professionally in Oklahoma City and eventually throughout the United States and China. He also was a Master of Aikido and taught classes for a number of years.
In June of 1978, he wed Brenda Michaelis and they made their home in Oklahoma City and he practiced architecture, and enjoyed entertaining and traveling with special friends. They were blessed with a son, Preston, in 1980, and a daughter, Chelsea Anna, in 1983. Following retirement, he enjoyed cooking, photography, painting, gardening, and music.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Madelon Inzer Herring, and father, Buck Herring. He is survived by a son, Preston, of Oklahoma City, daughter Chelsea & husband, Robert Schafer and their sons Henry and Wyatt, Denver, CO; sisters Gloria Rustmann, Altus, and Kathy McMahan and husband, Robert, Altus; niece Gabrielle Barnett and nephews Trey Rustmann, Cole McMahan, and Matt McMahan.
Special thanks and appreciation to cousin Barbara Roberts for her love and devotion to Larry and his dog, Parker. On weekends, the VA hospital staff always expected Barbara and Parker to arrive in her pickup to take Larry for ice cream and an afternoon drive.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. January 6, 2021, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Larry Raymond Herring, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Memorial
Wednesday
6
Jan
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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