Larry Gahagan

Larry Lee Gahagan, age 76, of Odessa, TX, passed away on April 20, 2018 in Odessa.

Larry Lee Gahagan was born on April 2, 1942, the only child of Alfred Lee and Juanita Martin Gahagan. He was delivered in the front bedroom of his beloved grandmother's home in Healdton, Oklahoma. He graduated from Healdton High School in 1960 and immediately entered Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Larry was soon drafted into the army at the ripe ole age of 19 and completed his training at Fort Carlson, Colorado. He was then stationed in Darmstadt, Germany during the Cold War as an artillery surveyor. Sadly, Larry lost his mother suddenly while stationed in Germany and was flown home expediently. He returned to service in the Army National Guard of Oklahoma before being honorably discharged in November 1965.

After his military service, Larry worked for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas and later moved to Houma, Louisiana where his beloved daughter, Lauri Lee, was born. He moved to the Permain Basin in mid-1970's to work for Welex Wireline Service which later merged with Halliburton Logging Services. It was during this time that his good friend, Glenn Gollnick would introduce him to the love of his life, Mary Ann Aleman. They married on Novemeber 4, 1977 and he gained three more children: John, Barbara, and "Frosty" whom he loved dearly as his own.

Larry was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; baptized on November 1, 1966; ordained as an Elder in November 1997; and appointed High Priest in November 2009. He took great joy and pride in his service as an Ordinance Worker in the Lubbock Texas Temple from May 2011 until illness kept him from returning. He was honorably released from this calling in September 2016, though it was always a great desire of his to become well enough to return to this great work.

Larry served with the Independent Order of Oddfellows, was a NRA instructor, competitive pistol shooter, and guitar player. He was quite the artist and a talented calligrapher who also loved to garden and cook. In his later years, Larry worked for the Ector County Sheriff's Office where he would retire on April 30, 2011. He took great pride in all of his endeavors, but especially his family. He had a way of lending an ear to all your troubles, or a strong shoulder when you felt weak, a stern look to set you straight, or a simple smile that made you beam. He was known for his firm handshake and steady eye contact. Afterall, "you can tell a great deal about a man from his handshake." He was a pillar of strength to all that knew him and he will be greatly missed.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving spouse, Mary Ann Gahagan; daughter, Lauri Gahagan Wemmer and husband Jeff; daughter, Barbara Christmas; son, John Christmas and wife Jonny; son, Melford "Frosty" Foust; grandchildren: Ashley and spouse Ty Chisum, Andrew Madden, Marshall Wemmer, Candace Reed, John and Nathan Christmas, Shaina Thompson, Kaeleigh NovaGradac, Allen and Taylor Foust; nine great-grandchildren; his uncles, Uncle Kenneth "Pete" Gahagan of Duncan, Ok, Uncle Jerry Dale Martin of Healdton, OK, and lastly, his brother from another mother, Gerry Neal of Frisco, Texas.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 27, 2018 at Latter Day Saints on John Ben Shepherd Parkway Blvd. in Odessa with Bishop Kurt Coombs officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the healthcare providers of Desert Milagro Dialysis Center (Fresenius), to Dr. Angirekula of Odessa Heart Institute, and to Dr. Steven Ellsworth for the wonderful care Larry received over the years.

Visitation

Family and Friends Gathering

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, April 26, 2018
6:00 - 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints
5401 John Ben Sheppard Parkway
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, April 27, 2018
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762