Obituary for Larry Shields

Ponca City Now - April 26, 2020 9:46 am

Larry Merle Shields

December 12, 1939 – April 25, 2020

Larry Merle Shields, loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather went to be with his heavenly Father and passed in his sleep in Blackwell, OK on April 25, 2020.

Larry was born in Enid, OK on December 12, 1939 to Joseph Merle Shields and Mary Fern (Davis) Shields. He grew up on a farm East of Nardin and attended Cooper School and high school at Blackwell High School where he graduated in 1957. This is where he met the love of his life, Connie Preston. They were married March 8, 1958 and were married for 62 years. Larry worked at the Blackwell Zinc Smelter and started farming. They made their home in the Nardin area where Larry farmed and raised cattle for many years. Larry was on the Clyde Co-op Board of Directors for 12 years. Larry was also a 32nd Degree Mason and an active member of the Nardin United Methodist Church. He also worked at Kay County for several years before retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Shields of Blackwell; Daughter Debbie Gibson and husband Steve of Oklahoma City, OK; Son Darrel Shields and wife Norma of Nardin, OK; Daughter Deanna Barnes and husband John of Mansfield, TX. Grandchildren Whitney Ashinhurst, Afton Diedrich, Tyler Gibson, Tyson Shields, Jack Barnes, and Addison Barnes, and six Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Nancy Barnett, Joella Walker, Danny Shields, and Kari Day and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Mary Fern Shields, and his Aunt, Donna Mae Hecklesmeller.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life for Larry is pending and will be held in the near future.

I’m just a farmer, plain and simple. Not of a royal birth but rather a worker of the earth. I know of drought and rain, of pleasure and pain. I know of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. The man who loves this land, and the beauty of its sand. I know of a spring’s fresh flow and autumn’s golden glow, and of a newborn calf’s hesitation, and the hawk’s destination. I am a man who loves his job and the life I live. I am a man who works with God, I cannot succeed without his help for you see, I’m just a farmer, plain and simple. We will close the gate.