ENID, Okla. — Larry Gene Highfill, 71, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at his home in Olympia, Wash. He was born Sept. 13, 1942, in Mooreland, Okla., to Kenneth and Dortha (Berry) Highfill.
He grew up there and graduated from Mooreland High School in 1960.
After high school, he attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.
Larry was commissioned in 1965, upon completion of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and served for 24 years in the Air Force.
He served two tours in Vietnam, flying A-1 Skyraider attack bombers with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, and was the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, 11 air medals, a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals and awards.
He flew A-10s while stationed at RAF Bentwaters in England. He retired in 1989, achieving the rank of major.
Larry married Kelsey Lynn Duck in 1965, in Stillwater, Okla. They were happily married for 48 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and building and flying model airplanes.
In later years, he enjoyed golfing and playing with his grandchildren.
The lives of his children, his grandchildren and his entire family were enriched by his love, his curiosity, his dry wit and his wisdom.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dortha; brother, Jimmy; and son, Steven.
He is survived by his spouse, Kelsey of Olympia, Wash.; his daughters, Kelly (Darek) Bielec of Central Park, Wash., and Lori Highfill (Shane Lindsey) of Toledo, Wash.; his sister, Betty Schneider of Woodward, Okla.; his grandchildren, Kelsey and Hania Bielec and Oliver Highfill Lindsey.
He enjoyed his family of nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family will hold a graveside service, with military honor guard, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino, Wash. Arrangements by Mills & Mills Funeral Home, Tumwater, Wash.
He grew up there and graduated from Mooreland High School in 1960.
After high school, he attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.
Larry was commissioned in 1965, upon completion of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and served for 24 years in the Air Force.
He served two tours in Vietnam, flying A-1 Skyraider attack bombers with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, and was the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, 11 air medals, a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals and awards.
He flew A-10s while stationed at RAF Bentwaters in England. He retired in 1989, achieving the rank of major.
Larry married Kelsey Lynn Duck in 1965, in Stillwater, Okla. They were happily married for 48 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and building and flying model airplanes.
In later years, he enjoyed golfing and playing with his grandchildren.
The lives of his children, his grandchildren and his entire family were enriched by his love, his curiosity, his dry wit and his wisdom.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dortha; brother, Jimmy; and son, Steven.
He is survived by his spouse, Kelsey of Olympia, Wash.; his daughters, Kelly (Darek) Bielec of Central Park, Wash., and Lori Highfill (Shane Lindsey) of Toledo, Wash.; his sister, Betty Schneider of Woodward, Okla.; his grandchildren, Kelsey and Hania Bielec and Oliver Highfill Lindsey.
He enjoyed his family of nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family will hold a graveside service, with military honor guard, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino, Wash. Arrangements by Mills & Mills Funeral Home, Tumwater, Wash.
ENID, Okla. — Larry Gene Highfill, 71, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at his home in Olympia, Wash. He was born Sept. 13, 1942, in Mooreland, Okla., to Kenneth and Dortha (Berry) Highfill.
He grew up there and graduated from Mooreland High School in 1960.
After high school, he attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.
Larry was commissioned in 1965, upon completion of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and served for 24 years in the Air Force.
He served two tours in Vietnam, flying A-1 Skyraider attack bombers with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, and was the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, 11 air medals, a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals and awards.
He flew A-10s while stationed at RAF Bentwaters in England. He retired in 1989, achieving the rank of major.
Larry married Kelsey Lynn Duck in 1965, in Stillwater, Okla. They were happily married for 48 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and building and flying model airplanes.
In later years, he enjoyed golfing and playing with his grandchildren.
The lives of his children, his grandchildren and his entire family were enriched by his love, his curiosity, his dry wit and his wisdom.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dortha; brother, Jimmy; and son, Steven.
He is survived by his spouse, Kelsey of Olympia, Wash.; his daughters, Kelly (Darek) Bielec of Central Park, Wash., and Lori Highfill (Shane Lindsey) of Toledo, Wash.; his sister, Betty Schneider of Woodward, Okla.; his grandchildren, Kelsey and Hania Bielec and Oliver Highfill Lindsey.
He enjoyed his family of nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family will hold a graveside service, with military honor guard, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino, Wash. Arrangements by Mills & Mills Funeral Home, Tumwater, Wash.
He grew up there and graduated from Mooreland High School in 1960.
After high school, he attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.
Larry was commissioned in 1965, upon completion of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and served for 24 years in the Air Force.
He served two tours in Vietnam, flying A-1 Skyraider attack bombers with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, and was the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, 11 air medals, a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals and awards.
He flew A-10s while stationed at RAF Bentwaters in England. He retired in 1989, achieving the rank of major.
Larry married Kelsey Lynn Duck in 1965, in Stillwater, Okla. They were happily married for 48 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and building and flying model airplanes.
In later years, he enjoyed golfing and playing with his grandchildren.
The lives of his children, his grandchildren and his entire family were enriched by his love, his curiosity, his dry wit and his wisdom.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dortha; brother, Jimmy; and son, Steven.
He is survived by his spouse, Kelsey of Olympia, Wash.; his daughters, Kelly (Darek) Bielec of Central Park, Wash., and Lori Highfill (Shane Lindsey) of Toledo, Wash.; his sister, Betty Schneider of Woodward, Okla.; his grandchildren, Kelsey and Hania Bielec and Oliver Highfill Lindsey.
He enjoyed his family of nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family will hold a graveside service, with military honor guard, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino, Wash. Arrangements by Mills & Mills Funeral Home, Tumwater, Wash.
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