Larry Kirkes

On April 5th at 5:20 pm, Larry Kirkes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away at the age of 74. Larry was born in the community of Sardis, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leacil and Allie Kirkes. He is survived by his wife of 54+ years, Mabel; and two sons, Leacil (named after his grandfather) and James Dwayne (named after his Dad). He is also survived by one sister, Oneta; four brothers, Gerald, Don, Gene and Mike; one daughter-in-law, Jennifer; four grandsons, Taylor, Austin, Landon and Dalton; and one great granddaughter, Allie. Larry was a retired tank builder/welder, and member of the Boilermaker union. He worked many long hard hours in the heat or cold to provide for his family. At the age of 16, Larry met and began courting his future wife Mabel who was 14. They were married on Aug 17, 1968, in Donaldsonville, LA where Larry was working a tank job with the company CBI. Larry was born and raised in Oklahoma, but would live and raise his family in Louisiana because of the job availability in his trade. His heart was always drawn back to those Oklahoma hills where he belonged, just as the old Hank Thompson song says. That love of Oklahoma was shared by his wife and two sons. Larry dearly loved his family and was very devoted to them. He always had time for his “boys” and would take his wife and kids on many camping, fishing trips and adventures, his family will cherish these memories forever. He also loved to hunt squirrels and deer. He always helped his sons with home projects from pouring concrete, fixing roofs, building barns or simply coming over to water plants so they did not have to after a long day’s work.

He greatly loved his grandchildren, spent quality time with them and was proud of each one’s accomplishments. His wife knows this much is true, “I was blessed, because I was loved by you.” A celebration of life will be held in two locations and dates. The first will be at Berthelot’s Hall in St Amant, LA on Friday, April 28, 4 PM – 7 PM, with a memorial service at 6 PM. The second will be a graveside service at A L Stephens Cemetery in Clayton, Oklahoma on Saturday, July 15 at 10 am, where his ashes will be buried.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1st Corinthians 15: 54-55, 57

Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?

Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death, thru our Lord Jesus Christ.