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Larry Tibbetts was born October 15, 1947 in Topeka, Kansas to Mildred and Richard Tibbetts. He passed away June 11, 2016 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 68.
Larry grew up and attended school in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where at a very young age he was known for his business skills. Larry’s first business card was printed at the age of 12, and many residents remember Larry mowing their lawn with care.
He attended college at University of Oklahoma and Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and an MBA in Management.
After college, Larry’s career took him to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he made his home. He enjoyed the beautiful Sandia mountains and the New Mexico climate, but most important to him were the many lifelong friends he made. These friends were like brothers to him.
Larry worked in medical sales for the majority of his career. He was very driven and as a result, he was very successful. His career demanded much travel in the United States and over seas, and he was highly respected for his knowledge and expertise in the cardiac implantable device field.
While traveling, Larry met his bride and love of his life, Carrington. They were married on September 27, 1997 on their ranch, affectionately named “OKIE FLATS” in Manzano, New Mexico. Larry and Carrington enjoyed many adventures together including motorcycling through Canada, trips to Jamaica, Europe, Mexico. In 2005, Larry and Carrington were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Katelynn Margaret. When Katelynn was 3 years old, the family relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma to be closer to Larry’s mother. Larry loved being a father and was known as the “coolest dad on the street”. In Katelynn’s words, “Daddy was FUN and great!” It was not uncommon to see the Tibbetts family and their two dogs riding the four wheeler together around the neighborhood! Larry rebuilt his own childhood go-cart for Katelynn and she has inherited her daddy’s love of driving it!
Larry was known for his love and devotion to his family and friends, his love of adventure and his commitment to “getting the job done”! Larry will be missed very much by all who knew and loved him.
Larry is survived by his wife, Carrington, daughter, Katelynn, and mother Mildred Hooper as well as many beloved family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister, Deborah Lynn, his father Richard Tibbetts, his step father, Dr. Jim Hooper as well as his grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services for Larry Tibbetts will be Thursday, June 16th, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Church of the Servant. 14343 North MacArthur Blvd in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Kesem OU by following this link: https://donate.kesem.org/fundraise?fcid=553012 or to the American Cancer Society,
Dan & Pam Truby says
Carrington,
Sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I have fond memories of my early days at C.R.Bard. Larry paved the way for me and I owe a great deal of my success to him. He was a strong and honest business man and I considered him a close friend.
My deepest sympathy,
Dan
Mitch Chvatal says
Carrington, It is very tough to lose such a special person…. I will have to say that I am very fortunate to have known Larry Tibbetts. I learned a great deal from him over the years and I am so glad he stayed in touch with us after he left our company….. I always looked forward for those surprise visits when he was traveling through Denver. I would look up from my Deck and there was Larry standing there, It always brought a big smile to my face..
He will be missed by all!
We will all see him again!
My deepest sympathy,
Mitch
Gary Surber says
He will be missed by all that knew him,a great person with his love and graceful giving,he is in great hands now.
Ric Craft says
Ol Tibbs was a Pure D Stud. Honest, loved his family like no other, worked hard to support their needs, had very loyal friends because of his support for them.
Carrington, he will always be missed, but never forgotten. A dear friend.
Buddy Behne says
Larry was my best friend and will always be in my thoughts. I will cherish all the great times and memories we had over the years. He was like my brother I will miss him a lot.
Love,
Buddy
Tom Heflin says
I loved him like a brother. Larry was truly a great friend. Always there for me or anyone in need. I have so many fond memories of times together. I will miss him terribly. We are here for you Carrington and Katelynn. Love, Tom and Laurie
Susan and Sam Wilson says
Larry was Sam’s friend for over 40 years. Sam always thought of him as a brother because they had so much in common. They both lost their father’s at a young age; they both lost their only siblings; they both married women who were 17 years younger than themselves “some called them cradle robbers”; they both had a mother named Mildred. The only difference was Sam’s “Mildred” passed away at 93 and Larry’s “Mildred” is still going strong.
Larry and Sam shared many friends, many of those friends were in Monday Night football. On one occasion a group of friends (Tom Heflen, Dave Wesley, Bill Childers, Larry and Sam) crated their motorcycles, shipped them to Missoula MT, picked them up and toured Western Canada on their motorcycles. They shared many memories on this trip and grew very close to each other during this time.
Some of the qualities about Larry that we most cherish was his mischievousness; his upbeat personality; his humor; his willingness to listen; his commitment to friendship. Sam and Larry would share many things with each other be it a business idea, personal issues, and sometimes just off the wall stuff. Sam knew he had a true friend in Larry and this was always a comfort to Sam. Larry and Sam went through some wild and crazy times as young men, but as they grew older, had families they matured all the while maintaining their deep friendship.
Sam was so honored to be the best man at Larry’s marriage to Carrington. Larry adored Carrington. We had never seen him smitten by anyone like he was with Carrington. Larry was so proud of Carrington, Katelynn and his mother Mildred. They were “his girls”. He was always bragging about them.
We will miss our dear friend Larry so much. We were privileged to share life’s journey with this “Okie”, but we are at peace knowing that Larry is no longer suffering. Love you brother –
Tim Goldman says
Carrington: My deepest condolences to you. Passion and judgement are the great engines of a full life. Larry possessed both and having you as his partner was the best example of that.
Ann & Dick Porter says
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Ann was from Duncan and got acquainted with Larry the summer of their senior year. Larry was in Dick’s fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, at OU. We have so many good memories of fun times and are shocked to read of his passing. He was a true friend and great git
Michael Levison says
Carrington and Katelynn,
I am very sorry to hear the news about Larry. Although we only worked together the last few years I felt like I got to know Larry very well. He always talked about you and was very proud of his wife and daughter. Larry was a very caring and strong person who helped me through some tough times and I truly appreciated his advice. He will be missed!
Jan Sampson says
Larry will be greatly missed here by our whole family. He was a great neighbor and friend. Jim and Jan Sampson
Thomas Carpenter says
I knew Larry for a lot of years. We started at Ventritex together. I enjoyed our short time in OKC together.
I knew how difficult his prognosis was and was scared after our last bowl of Pho that he would not make it. As a Cancer survivor he helped me with words of wisdom. I just heard about his passing and I am sorry that I was not at his memorial. He was special, and gone too soon.
Judy Gibson says
Carrington,
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s death. I am just now learning about it and am so sorry to have missed his memorial. Larry was a friend since childhood and was best man at our wedding. He was someone I thought would live forever. I will write to you offline.
Ted Hidinger says
Larry and I had a unique bond/friendship – we both loved 1940 Ford Coupes. I met Larry in 82, he came to my house to look at a 40 Deluxe coupe I was getting ready to put up for sale – it was not a finished car at the time, Larry made the decision to buy it and wait until I finished it – after he picked up the car we stayed in touch for a while then as life so happens we lost touch. One day I made it my goal to find Larry and see if he still had the 40 coupe – this was now 2014 = 32 years later, I was able to track him down and YES he still had it – it was as if we had never lost touch. He asked me to sell the car for him which I did, thinking back I wish I had purchased it.
In getting caught-up he spoke of how he met the love of his life in Carrington and having Katelynn, his hopes and dreams of their future together.
Larry will forever remain in my heart as a giving and caring person committed to his family, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to have known him – he will be missed!
Gene Rodgers says
Carrington, it has been three years since Larry’s passing, and I still miss him. We first met in 1950 when I moved to Chickasha, and lived next door to his grandma. I remember riding Larry’s horses and his go-cart with him. I loved that guy. From 1950 to 2016, that’s a good while. I mean a good time. I hope you are fine. Love from the Rodgers family. I forgot my e-mail password, but am on facebook.
brad messer says
I’m so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing he and I have been out of touch for sometime now, but always remained close in spirit. He and I had been roommates at Central State and fraternity brothers at OU. I only wish I knew he had moved back to Oklahoma. I’ve been coming back to Tulsa from Austin since 2000 and would have loved to hook up with him again.
My deepest condolences,
Brad Messer