Larry Mathes was born to Margie and Earl Mathes in Hugo, OK, on March 4th, 1942, and spent the predominance of his childhood and early life in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was at Valley High School where he met the truest love and most important person in his life for 64 years, his wife Becky Shook. They remained inseparable until he passed into Jesus’ hands on January, 14th, 2024 at age 81.
Hard work and family defined him. Early on in their marriage, Larry worked multiple jobs, many at the same time for several years until the births of two children, Lance and Joie. Later they moved to Oklahoma City in 1974 and he worked in the restaurant business for three years before purchasing two of the only three Sonic Drive-Ins in Amarillo, where he would live the rest of his life. His next career change, after a short stint with Asarco while getting his security clearance approved, took him to Pantex, where he worked 34 years until his retirement.
Larry’s favorite times were spent with his wife, kids, and grandchildren, and his favorite place to travel was Maui. In 2018, he and Becky accomplished the long-held dream of treating them all to a vacation in Maui together, which he reminisced about often until his final days.
The Cowboys, Sooners, and Rangers were great sources of his entertainment, joy (and aggravation), and he spent many Sundays as a season-ticket holder at the Cowboys games. In his youth, Larry loved to work with his hands on anything mechanical, especially cars, and spent much of his time with his semi-pro shade-tree mechanic friends. He also loved to dance, which he and Becky did when they met, and he had a reputation as one of the best dancers at the school dances.
Larry’s life was pure, and his priorities never wavered. He will be deeply missed, and his memory cherished, forever.
SURVIVORS
Spouse: Becky Mathes
Son: Lance Mathes and wife Blanca
Daughter: Joie Gresham and husband Jonathan
Sister: Marcia Felts and husband Stanley
Grandchildren: Cody, Brianna, Savannah, Logan, Aly, Mitchell, and Nicholas.
Preceded in death: parents Margie Myers and Earl Mathes, sister Judy Coulston (2020)
