Arthur Lavern Large

Arthur “Artie” Lavern Large was born to Opal McVay and Vern Large of Fort Scott, Kansas on May 31, 1942. He preached his first sermon at the age of four and followed that call after high school to Arlington, Texas to attend Arlington Bible College where he met and married Margaret Johns on May 6, 1961. He pastored several churches with her by his side playing the piano. He loved the Lord and served Him by preaching, teaching, and leading music. Some called him “the singing preacher” and he always had an encouraging word for everyone he met. He and Margaret had three children: Melanie Pulgini of Arlington, Texas; Brian Large of Gainesville, Texas and Brent Large of Arlington, Texas. He and Margaret divorced in 1982. Arthur met and married Rebecca Alexander in 1983 and was a devoted father to her two children: Jason Gingrich and Andrea Gingrich. They were married 30+ years until her death in 2015. After a house fire in 2018 Arthur moved to Pryor, Oklahoma to live with his loving sister, Jeanie Heckman. He served at Pryor Creek Baptist Church where he was cherished by the congregation. He was honored to teach the Wisdom Group and pass out hot dogs to the community through their park ministry. He was thrilled when he had the opportunity to preach on the occasional Sunday morning. The Pastor, Eric Koons, welcomed him and encouraged his service to the Lord’s ministry in Pryor. He will be missed by those that were blessed to know him and his legacy lives on in those he loved and discipled.

Arthur died on January 19, 2022 and is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Opal Large and his wife, Rebecca Large. He is survived by his sister, Jeanie Heckman and family; brother, Robert Large and family; daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Mark Pulgini; son, Brian Large; son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Lori Large; son Jason Gingrich and daughter Andrea Gingrich. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.