Obituary for Larry Speakman

Larry Leroy Speakman

December 25, 1940 – April 8, 2018

Larry Leroy Speakman was born Christmas Day, 1940, the son of Leroy L. Speakman and Lois D. Robison Speakman. He left this life on April 8, 2018 at the age of 77 where he received his heavenly wings. He grew up on the family dairy farm in Osage County along with his five sisters. As a child Larry and his siblings came to know the meaning of hard work in order for the farm to survive. At a young age you might find him working ground for the next crop or helping his Mom and Dad by putting up hay for the cows.

Larry attended school at Burbank, OK and the Braden School in Osage County. After attaining the grade of 7th, Braden was annexed to Ponca City where he attended Jr. High and graduated from PO-HI with the class of 1958. While in High School he met his future wife, Nila Kizer, when they both rode the same school bus. After High School Larry attended Business College and became quite proficient with numbers. He enjoyed learning all about accounting and tax work. He also took college courses at NOC to learn all he could. At the tender age of 17 he and Nila were married. Nila still had one year left to receive her diploma so she remained in Ponca to finish while Larry went to Kansas City in pursuit of a job. He worked 2 years with then Skelly Oil Co. in the accounting department where he learned about computers. He then began work with Fleming Wholesale Foods where he was hired as their Accounts Payable clerk.

In December 1961 his Dad convinced him to return to the farm. He saw an ad in the Kansas City Star advertising Holstein heifers for sale so he bought 30 head and moved back to Ponca City and formed the partnership of Speakman & Son Dairy. That business thrived until he was ready to give it up and sold the business in the government dairy buy-out.

In 1965 Larry and Nila decided to form a family of their own so that year they welcomed their daughter, Shelli. Then in 1970 along came their son, Kevin. They now had a complete family and both worked diligently to raise respectable children. Larry was a doting father, husband, son and friend to all who knew him. If something was asked of him, he was there to lend a hand.

After getting out of the dairy business Larry worked as an accountant for the law firm Johnson & Johnson. In addition he took on clients keeping books for several businesses in Ponca City, while also taking a course with H&R Block and adding to his tax skills. He also kept beef cattle on the farm so field work didn’t end with the dairy. Every summer he world buy hay in and around Ponca City and loaded trucks skillfully with 350 to 400 bales per truck. If all that wasn’t enough he also drove a truck for Head Country BBQ. After a farm accident set him back somewhat he finally was able to return to work and purchased the inventory of a video store and opened and ran it for 5 years. That business adventure helped to put his son through college. Larry was a man of integrity…honest, sincere and upright. He was respected by many.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and an infant son, Michael. He leaves behind his wife, Nila of nearly 60 years, his daughter, Shelli Lucas with her husband John of Ponca City, and his son, Kevin Speakman with his wife Kristin of Pryor, OK, grandson Bryan Lucas of Ponca City, and granddaughter Alyssa Soutter with her husband Logan of Seattle, WA. He also leaves behind his sisters, Mavis Condit with her husband Charles of Ponca City, Florene Love with her husband Billy Joe of Tennessee, Lois Thornton with her husband Orville of Ponca City, Linda Hart with her husband Robert of Ponca City, and Donna Ross with her husband Tom of Ponca City. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will all miss him dearly.

A memorial ceremony for Larry will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Community Christian Church with Pastor Valerie Austin and Pastor Mark Lyon officiating. Preceding the service, Larry will be laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Ponca City at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018. Friends and family may pay their respects at Trout Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 11th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, April 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Family will be available to greet friends on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Serving as pall bearers are grandson Bryan Lucas, grandson-in-law Logan Soutter, nephews Tommy Ross and Jason Ross, neighborhood friends, Taner Case and Jared Fisher. Honorary pall bearers are nephews Lonnie Love, Steve Thornton, Jeremy Ross, Harlan E. Kizer and Charles Kizer.

Those wishing to honor Larry may do so by making contributions to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601 or Community Christian Church, 2109 West Grand, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory in Ponca City.

Source: Trout Funeral Home