Larry Shackelford

This is our condensed version of memories for this chapter in Larry’s life.

This isn't for strangers, this is for friends and family. So if you know Larry you know this is only a small portion of his story below. Please add your stories and pictures to help with this chapter in Larry’s life. We all know there is going to be a big hole left behind now that he is gone. They are mighty big shoes to fill, that is for sure. He made a lot of friends in his life and hearing the many many many stories from all of them has truly been spectacular.

Larry’s memory will forever carry on with his friends and loved ones. His son Craig and daughter-in-law Rae Shackelford, his son David and daughter-in-law Tish Shackelford and Larry’s loving daughter Kimberly Cooley. Along with the 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Larry was a big kid, the oldest 12 year old you would ever meet. He was the nicest guy you would want to know and the best neighbor you would want to have. Larry grew up in Trimble, Missouri. He was drafted into the US Army in 1960, and spent 3 years 2 months 13 days and 9.5 hours (but who's counting). He made the best of it, when he told stories of his time in service they were good ones and always had people smiling.

Larry met Joyce in 1963 and was at the time working construction in the family business in Missouri and drag racing his 1954 Ford in his spare time. He attended electronics school at the Central Technical Institute and graduated in 1969.

Larry had a God given talent and could fix any type of TV, and ran a series of successful TV repair businesses in Kansas City. Larry and Judy married in 1983 and moved out west, then they moved to Quartzsite, AZ in 1988 and bought property in the 90’s. Upon moving to Quartzsite, AZ he became a member of the Elks Lodge in Parker, AZ, The Chamber of Commerce in Quartzite, AZ and the Rotary Club as well as multiple other organizations. Larry was always ready to donate his time and money to help out the locals. Volunteering during the winter months and still traveling during the summer months. During the summer, Larry and Judy would tour the United States in their Fleetwood Prowler RV and enjoy time in the cooler climates. Craig and Rae joined them on several RV trips throughout the Western US. They traveled through the Redwoods, the Oregon Coast and Alaska to name a few. Larry told Rae that if he survived his heart bypass surgery he would visit her in Puerto Rico. He held true to his word and got on a plane and went to Puerto Rico for a week. He would also puppy-sit his granddog Sunny when Craig and Rae were away from home.

Larry and Judy moved out to La Paz Valley in early 2000 and he built their home, known to locals as Judy’s Party Palace. It was legendary for many years because of its lavish and extravagant themed parties. If Judy could think of it, Larry would make it happen. Christmas / Thanksgiving, Italian party, Cuban party, Margaritaville party, in detail, he would always make it happen for Judy. In the early 2000’s Larry and Judy spent a lot of time in Marysvale UT riding the quads with Dave and Tish and enjoying the serenity and beauty for many summers.

Judy passed in 2017 and was greatly missed especially by her beloved Larry.

For the last several years Larry could be found in the back room or behind the counter at Discount Solar on a regular basis. He made sure the coffee and donuts were fresh. Larry loved food and especially enjoyed going to Sizzler. He would sample everything on the salad bar except Cottage Cheese! Of course he would finish the meal off with several ice cream cones. Some of Craig’s fondest memories are of him helping put the Discount Solar building up and using the tractor to unload deliveries. The many adventures as a child growing up and the many times walking through the back room and seeing “Pop” sitting in the back of the shop “keeping an eye on things” waiting to get his back scratched.

The endless stories and jokes that kept smiles on everyone's face and everyone laughing. Larry aka Poppa was and will always be in our hearts.