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A Celebration of Life for Larry Merle Bute, age 79, of Ponca City, Oklahoma will be 3:00 pm, Sunday, March 19, 2023 at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene, Ponca City, Oklahoma. Pastor David Frees will officiate. The United States Army will provide Military Honors. Cremation services provided by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory, Enid, Oklahoma,
Larry was born May 18, 1943 in Kankakee, Illinois to Everette and Gladys (White) Bute, and passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Ponca City.
After earning his high school diploma, Larry entered the United States Army in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He served a total of 6 years of active duty including a tour in Vietnam, earning the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device as well as the Sharpshooter and Marksman Rifle awards. During his time in the military, he was a truck driver and following his honorable discharge from the Army, he continued driving trucks for several trucking companies, eventually retiring from Glass Trucking Company after 21 years of employment. He married the love of his life Kathy Edwards on June 24, 1978 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They had three daughters, Kristin, Tiffany, and Amber. The family moved to Ponca City in 1987 after Larry took a job for Glass Trucking. Kathy passed away January 21, 2009 after 31 years of marriage.
Larry was larger than life and always the life of the party. He loved all kinds of music, from rock to the blues, and the louder the better. He definitely danced to the beat of his own drum. He was kind and giving, literally giving the shirt off his back if needed. He loved the “idea” of fishing but rarely had the time to go. He was an avid reader and loved all football, except the Dallas Cowboys! He loved his children, and especially his grandchildren; he loved playing with them and antagonizing them! Over the last six years, Larry found a new passion for fitness; he loved going to Planet Fitness where he didn’t know a stranger. The last two years Larry gallantly fought stage 4 lung/brain cancer. He earned the nickname “Pops” from his family and friends who supported him through his journey fighting cancer; with his motto being “Lets go”! He inspired everyone, friends, family and even people he had never met with his positive attitude and fighting spirit. At the end of his journey, he said “I’m ready to see your mother and JC” (Jesus Christ).
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, and wife Kathy Bute. He is survived by four daughters; Kristin Lickliter, of Ponca City; Tiffany Bute, of Ponca City; Amber Smith and husband Jeremy, of Winfield, KS; Brandie Lynn, of Wichita, KS; nine grandchildren, Trinity, Justin, Titan, Alexis, Jace, Jasper, Arabella, Drew, and Tyler; and one great-grandson, Maverick. Three brothers, Wayne Bute and wife Gloria; of Pawhuska; Neil Bute and wife Raeann, of Fredericksburg, VA; Norman Bute and wife Laura, of Albuquerque, NM; a sister, Joyce Fenstermacher of Albuquerque, NM; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in Larry’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
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