Larry Don Hatfield was born January 24th 1948 to Theodore and Eddie Lou Hatfield in Amarillo, Texas. Larry told his last (and most likely inappropriate) joke on September 8th. Early on September 9th at the age of 69 he called it a day, kicked the bucket, gave up the ghost, and bit the dust.
Larry grew up in Borger, Texas where his shenanigans were the stuff of legends. He graduated from Borger High School in 1966 and joined the Navy in February 1968. He considered himself the luckiest man alive when he married his High School Sweetheart, Shelah Vandergriff on May 17th 1968 after completing boot camp. They moved to a scary little house in Pensacola Florida and survived on biscuits, peanut butter and love. In Puerto Rico, they learned that you can strip old wax from floors with Bacardi and nurses in Puerto Rican Maternity wards only speak Spanish. Larry barely survived being separated from his family while he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, but did try some Kobe beef that one time. After leaving the Navy, he and Shelah settled in San Angelo, TX to raise their family, work and pursue an interest in local and state politics. He served as the Tom Green County Republican Party Chairman, Parliamentarian for the Republican Party of Texas and was also a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1988. Larry was a salesman, it didn’t matter what he was selling, he could sell “Ice to an Eskimo” and he loved it. After 30-year career in sales and his kids grown up and gone he decided it was time to make a change. He became a Fiber Optic Cable inspector and he and Shelah left San Angelo for their “Great Adventure”. For the next 12 years, they were full time RVers, working, living and making friends from the East Coast to the West finally settling down for retirement in Fernley, Nevada. The last several years Larry has been dedicated to serving the Loyal Order of Moose and honing his grilling skills. He was a member of Fernley Nevada Moose Lodge where he served as Governor from 2014 – 2016 and was a Legionnaire of the High Sierra Moose Legion. At the time of his death he was serving as Junior Past Governor and was President Elect of the High Sierra Moose Legion.
Larry will be missed and is survived by his Son Sean and wife Bernadette of Green Cove Springs FL, Daughter Shannon and Husband Chad of Grand Prairie TX, Grandchildren Scott, Courtney, Brian and Amy, Sister-in-Law and Best Friend Doris Berigtold of Fernley NV, Brothers Richard of Amarillo TX and Randy of Borger TX, many nieces and nephews and his dog, little shit (real name Max). He was preceded in death by his wife Shelah and his parents.
Larry had some serious health problems for the last few years but survived them up until now. He made friends everywhere he went and will be remembered for his sense of humor and his quick wit. He loved God, his family, Texas, the outdoors, Coors Original and the Dallas Cowboys. There wasn’t a bet he wouldn’t take and somehow, even when he didn’t win, he won. He died like he lived, doing it his own way.