Lawrence "Larry" Vincent Vargas

Our angel from Heaven, Larry Vargas, lent to us by God for 59 years, fell asleep in the arms of Our Lord Jesus Christ on August 30, 2023, at home, with his family by his side in Kyle, Texas.

For the Vargas Family, Larry was a living angel among us. He was born on June 4, 1964, in a small hospital on the Ysleta de Sur Pueblo (Tigua) Reservation in El Paso County, Texas, and given the name Lawrence Vincent Vargas. The son of Enrique and Mary Ellen Ogaz Vargas, he was named after Lawrence of Arabia and St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of the poor and charity.

Larry suffered from brain damage either before or during his birth, and it would affect his speech and learning ability for his entire life. Larry was non-verbal, communicating through basic sign language and facial gestures. He was the middle child of three boys and graduated high school in El Paso.

He worked at the Austin Zoo and loved animals.

Above all, he loved young children. As an innocent soul, Larry attracted toddlers and puppies and enjoyed spending time with his nephews and nieces. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan, though he was really a fan of the referees and knew all the hand signals for penalties. He would laugh when a yellow penalty flag was thrown and relished being the referee when he played street football with his brothers and friends.

His favorite TV characters included the Fonz from Happy Days and more than any show he loved the undersea adventures of Sponge Bob Square Pants.

In 2023, he was diagnosed with liver disease, despite never drinking alcohol. After months of fighting the disease, he entered hospice and passed peacefully in his sleep.

Preceding Larry in death are his father, Enrique Vargas, grandparents Hipolito and Carmen (Rey) Vargas; grandparents Eloy and Andrea (Gonzales) Ogaz; uncles Eloy Ogaz, Jr.; Lupe Arguelles, and aunt Mother Superior Josephina Vargas.

Larry is survived by his mother, Mary Ellen Vargas, brothers Kenneth & Suha (Ghattas) Vargas, Gerald Vargas, sister-in-law Andrea Morris, nephews Rumzy Hneiti, Sean and Jennifer (Fassio) Vargas, Jonathan (Jojo) Vargas, Ethan Vargas, niece Luna Vargas and great-niece Eliana (Ellie) Vargas and grand-nephew Gabriel Vargas.

Visitation for Larry will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749.

A Rosary will follow visitation at 7 p.m.

His funeral Liturgy (Catholic Mass) is Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Church, 1320 E 51st Street, Austin, TX 78723, followed by his burial at Forest Oaks Cemetery at 6300 West William Cannon Dr. Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, celebrant.

The Vargas family is thankful to Dr. Dina Tebcherany, M.D., and the medical team at St. David’s Hospital - South Austin and Chorbishop Donald Sawyer. A Very Special thanks to Hospice Austin for their amazing compassion in providing comfort to Larry in his final days. A very special thank you to Larry’s aunt, Paula Ogaz who helped care for Larry, along with his mother, these past few years. Thank you to Wafa (Ghattas) and Ben Rivera for opening your home and hearts to Larry and making him part of your family. He truly loved you.

Larry was loved by many aunts, uncles cousins, and friends. And to those who loved him and made him always safe and welcome. Thank you.

Pallbearers for his funeral are Kenneth Vargas, Gerald Vargas, Rumzy Hneiti, Sean Vargas, Jonathan (Jojo) Vargas, Luna Vargas and Jimmy Reyes.

To honor Larry’s life of generous love, be kind to one another. If able, consider becoming an organ donor. More than 100,000 people are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Visit www.donatelifetexas.org to register. You can also support Hospice of Austin which provides no-cost comfort, care, and support to the sick and their families in their greatest time of need. (www.austinhospice.org).