Larry Gene Allen was born in Sayre, Oklahoma to Ormond “Cork” Allen and Opal Carter Allen on October 12th, 1948. He passed away on July 9, 2023 at home surrounded by family.
Larry attended all 12 years at Burns Flat Schools and graduated in 1967. He then attended Southwestern State College and decided that wasn’t for him. Larry was raised on the farm with his little sister, Janis, and they had a blast breaking horses, riding horses, attending rodeos, and following their parents to horse races. He enjoyed working for his dad at their Shamrock station in Clinton.
Larry went to work at TB Sanitorium milking cows and had big dreams of one day owning a farm. In order to pay the bills, He went to work for Milwhite Mud Company, ranch hand in Canadian, TX and Mike Johnson of Dill City, OK. Larry met his future bride, Janice Goodloe and the story started with a “forced” blind double date for them both.
Mike’s daughter Kay and Janice were roommates and Kay’s boyfriend set up a double date with his friend.
When that friend bailed at the last minute, Mike’s wife Charlene, held Larry’s paycheck over his head until he agreed to fill in as the replacement date. The other couple got into a fight shortly after arriving and left them there to finish the date alone.
After that first date, Larry spent all his free time driving back and forth from Dill City, OK to Guymon, OK to see her and they married on April 8, 1972. They made their home in Clinton, OK where they raised 2 children, Kelly and Lisa. Larry and Janice owned Larry’s Texaco in Weatherford, OK for 3 years during the oil boom. He went to work for Western Company and worked in the oilfield until he was injured. They put him at a desk as a dispatcher, and he stayed at that same desk through 2 buyouts by BJ Services and Baker Hughes. Larry finally left that desk and bought a Tom’s Potato Chip route that served western Oklahoma for several years. He worked for Newpark Drilling Fluids, ARental in Weatherford and Clinton Daily News selling ads.
Larry finally retired to their own little farm in 2014 where he enjoyed riding his Kobota tractor and hanging out with his dog Rusty.
He had many hobbies that he loved over his 74 years. Larry enjoyed fishing and deer hunting with a rifle and crossbow.
He loved flying radiocontrolled airplanes even though they crashed shortly after leaving the ground.
Larry got into showing chickens at the county fairgrounds where he started out getting 2nd place with the only chicken in a breed class to being offered $500 for a rooster he bred and won a national championship with.
He loved that program so much that he gave his time to be superintendent of the poultry division at the Custer County Fairgrounds for many years.
Anyone who knew Larry knew of his love for the Lord. Larry was taught the gospel and was baptized at the Clinton Church of Christ. They worshiped there for many years as well as at the Weatherford Church of Christ. Some of their most cherished memories are with their church family including driving the Joy Bus ministry, the Pie and Missions Ministry as well as hosting a yearly Chicken Cluck-off at our neighborhood park with fresh from the farm fried chicken and lots of friendly competition and fellowship. Larry loved his friends almost as much as he loved his family. Larry loved his wife, kids and enjoyed spending time with them as much as he could. Once the grandkids started arriving, he was the best Pebob any kid could ask for.
Their most precious moments include hiking, playing farkle and chess, and eventually beating him at dominoes. He loved writing new lyrics to old songs and singing them quite badly, we might add, at birthday parties. He was so loved and will be missed.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ormond “Cork” and Opal Allen, his sister in law, Joyce Holland and husband Paul, brother in laws, Bill Goodloe and Joe Raab, and his trusted furry companion, Rusty.
Larry is survived by his wife: Janice Allen, son: Kelly Allen, and wife, Debbie, daughter: Lisa Ray, and husband, Billy, sister: Janice Raab, special cousin: Morris Dudgeon, and wife, Rhonda, grandchildren: Brett Ragains, and wife, Alexandra; Rylee Balcom; Jessica Allen; Addison Ray, and partner, Dallas Brandly ; Ashlyn Ray; Chandon Ray ;Chase Ray; Cale Ray, 9 greatgrandchildren and one on the way.
A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the 4-H Youth Development Custer County OSU Extension. Coontact: Jordan Nel, P.O. Box 170 Arapaho, OK 73620, Phone: (580)323-2291 or Fax: (580)323-2296 Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2023 Custer Avenue Church of Christ, Clinton, OK Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, OK