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The family of Larry Joe Marcy, 75, is sad to announce his death on Wednesday March 17th, 2021 at his home in Durant, Oklahoma after a long battle with cancer. He enjoyed sitting outdoors during his last days and was surrounded by family during his last hours. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought smiles to his face as they sat on the foot of his adjustable bed playing with the remote.
Larry was born in Mangum, Oklahoma in 1946 and returned as often as possible to what he always called “home”. As the son of one of Oklahoma’s first United Methodist women pastors and a Meacham grandfather who was a staunch Baptist, Larry grew up in the church. He graduated from Mangum High School in 1964 before attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Larry enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard August 26th, 1963. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant June 26th, 1966 and served as an Armor officer in both the National Guard and Army Reserve before retiring after 20 years of service at the rank of Major.
Larry was an employee of the Durant Daily Democrat, working as an award-winning photographer, writer, and editor from 1972 to 1987. He also proudly penned an outdoor column for the Democrat titled “Out and About with Ole Scout” chronicling his extensive involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. After leaving the Democrat he worked for the Oklahoma Historical Society at Fort Washita, retiring as site superintendent after 25 years of service from 1987 to 2012.
While in college Larry discovered the joy of working with the Boy Scouts. Throughout the years, he slept many nights under the stars as Troopmaster for Troop 615. A meticulous planner, he led over 20 treks to the acclaimed Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Numerous scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout under his leadership, including his own four sons and many Cub Scouts experienced the excitement of the Pinewood Derby in the basement of the old First United Methodist Church. For his service to scouting he was named Durant’s “Citizen of the Year” in 1987. He served in numerous positions within the Boy Scouts and other organizations which supported scouting to include: Troop 615 Scoutmaster, Three Rivers district scout training chairman, scouting coordinator for Durant First United Methodist Church’s Council of Ministries, BSA Texoma Valley Council board member, Bryan County United Way board member, and member of the National Association of United Methodist Scouters. Among his awards for distinguished service to scouting were the Cross and Flame award presented by the United Methodist bishop of Oklahoma, The Silver Beaver award presented by the Texoma Valley Council, the Walking Wood Badge award from Philmont Scout Ranch, and the Vigil Honor from the Order of the Arrow.
Larry was the devoted husband of Ellen, his wife of 52 years. Four sons, Larry Joe (Bonnie), Christopher (Melissa), Daniel (Anna), and John (Holly) all of Durant were his pride and joy. He introduced his sons as numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, and insisted they line up in order for family pictures. He was a loving Papa to Dalton (Hannah) Loggains of Stigler, Oklahoma, Dakota Marcy (Ashley) of Calera, Oklahoma, Ryker Marcy (Tayler), Dalton Marcy, Delany Marcy, Valorie Taylor, and Danica Marcy, all of Durant, and Cassidy McCann of Denver, Colorado. He was delighted to be a great-papa to Rozlyn Marcy, Jameson and Garrison Loggains, Rowyn Marcy and Parker Marcy.
Larry was a favorite casino partner to his sister, Ann Stewart (Glenn) of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He embraced the role of brother-in-law to his wife’s siblings and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was blessed to be the son of Thurman and Margaret Marcy who preceded him in death.
Larry was a life member of the Philmont Scout Ranch Staff Association and the Military Officers Association of America and member of the First United Methodist Church of Durant and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Larry died after a gentle, life-renewing rain on Saint Patrick’s Day. It was the type of weather enjoyed by Scouts camping in the great outdoors where Larry believed God was to be found. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, believed that a week of camp life was worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room. On that account, Larry would agree as he dedicated so much of his time to organizing and leading campouts and hiking adventures in the outdoors where he was the happiest. To that end, he would be proud to say, “May the great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again, and may our footsteps lead unto Him”.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Durant at 11:00 a.m. with Bro John Breon and Dale Marshall officiating on Saturday March 20, 2021 with a family visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m, just before the service. Interment will follow on Tuesday March 23, 2021 in The Fort Gibson National cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma where Bro Greg Tolle will officiate and military honors will be conducted.
Pallbearers are sons Larry, Chris, Daniel, John, and grandsons Dakota, Ryker, Dalton, and Dalton Loggains. Honorary Pallbearers are Dan Wells, Jim Argo, Roy Cooper, Bob Neel, Joe Chapman, Glenn “Pee Wee” Stewart, Steve Harmon, and John Davis. A live stream of the service will be available on the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home Facebook page at 11:00 a.m.
The family suggests donations to First United Methodist Church Boy Scout Troop 615 in-lieu of flowers.
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