Lawrence "Larry" Eugene Rist's Obituary
Lawrence “Larry” Rist , 82 years old, passed from this life September 16, 2015, Claremore, Oklahoma. He was born March 24, 1933, to Otto and Esther (Cox) Rist in Dover, Oklahoma. Lawrence grew up in Covington, OK , until he moved to Stillwater, OK his senior year in high school. After high school he entered the U. S. Marine Corp serving three years. Then he attended Oklahoma A&M (later becoming Oklahoma State University). He completed several credit hours specializing in mathematics. At this time, he reinlisted in the Marine Corp where he served active duty in the Korean War. He served a total 9 ½ years in the Marine Corp. He met the love of his life, Shirley Sue Davis, during his time at Stillwater High School. They were married in 1954 at Sharp Chapel in Tulsa, OK. Together they had four children Rodney Keith, Rhonda Lynn, Roxanna, and Rita Lea. Lawrence retired from computer programming with Industrial Fabricating after 20 years of service. After Larry’s retirement, he and Shirley Sue enjoyed traveling, their grandchildren, and their church family. He and Shirley were active members of Sheridan Avenue Christian Church where they raised their children in a Christian environment. Later in life they became active members of the First Christian Church in Owasso, OK. Larry enjoyed golf for many years where he became a scratch golfer (he was extremely proud of his hole-in-one), he enjoyed competitive bridge, and watching this grandchildren at their sporting events. Larry was known by most as a reserved, strong, generous, stubborn, a big Teddy Bear, and loving person. Larry will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 61 years Shirley Sue Rist, his son Rodney Keith and wife Kathy, daughter Rhonda Lynn and husband Paul, daughter Roxanna and husband Brad, daughter Rita Lea and husband Robert, his grandchildren Kari Jo Rhoades and husband Chris, Jared Lee Fowler, Garrett Reed Fowler, Jessica McCrory, Amanda McCrory, Rachel McCrory, Logan Palmer, and Morgan Palmer along with his great-grandchildren Kayla and Easton Rhoades. Also, two sisters Dorothy Gum and Pauline Wright and husband Mike. He is preceded in death by his grandson Steven Rist, parents, and brother Harold Rist. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2015 and a celebration of life service will be held Tuesday September 22, 2015 at 10:00 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, in Broken Arrow, OK.
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