Larry Thomas Beattie

Larry Thomas Beattie (1941-2024) Larry Thomas Beattie, 83, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, died at the home of natural causes on October 9, 2024. On June 3, 1941, he was born in Clarinda, Iowa, to William Thomas Beattie and Marjorie Mae Wohlford Beattie. He and his brother Basil spent most of their childhood near family in northwest Missouri. He played football and graduated from Oregon (MO) High School in 1959. He spent two years studying at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri. In 1965, Larry met the love of his life, Sandra Grimes, when he visited Cookson Hills Christian School in Oklahoma (near Siloam Springs, Arkansas), where she was serving as the secretary. They were engaged at Christmas of that year, and he moved to Oklahoma the following February to take on various responsibilities for Cookson Hills. The couple was married April 9, 1966, at First Christian Church in Siloam Springs. They later became house parents at Cookson Hills to a group of children, and when their daughter Laura was born in May 1967, she was their tenth child! In August 1968, they decided it was time for a change and moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where their son Tom was born in September, followed by John in March 1970. Larry worked at various jobs in Muskogee for a time until he went to work for the State of Oklahoma at Oklahoma School for the Blind. He served in maintenance, as a kitchen helper, as a certified Youth Guidance Specialist, and lastly as their Security Guard. He retired in 2006 after 32 years of service. The family joined Boulevard Christian Church in 1977. Larry served as a bus driver, greeter, City Group leader, Book Rack team member, and Boulevard Christian School elementary volunteer. Larry was known for his compassionate spirit and welcoming smile. He never met a stranger and was always willing to offer prayers and encouraging words. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Basil Leroy Beattie; and his niece, Norma Adams. He is survived by his wife Sandra Beattie of the home; daughter, Laura (Kent) Kovacs of Muskogee; son, Thomas (Bernadette) Beattie of Muskogee, and son, John (Kimberly) Beattie of Okmulgee; beloved grandchildren, Zachary, Joel, Kayley, Erica, and Lydia Kovacs, Declan Beattie, and Stephanie (Jonathan) Adkins; a great-granddaughter, Henlee Dawn Adkins; and nephew, Rhett (Rebecca) Beattie. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and the many friends who loved him dearly. The family wishes to thank all of Larry’s caregivers, especially Mollie Sherman, KC Alred, Tracey Szabo, Rebecca Jones, and Nikki Montgomery, who loved him and cared for him as their own over the past several years. Larry’s life will be celebrated at 2PM, Monday, October 14, 2024 at Boulevard Christian Church.

Larry Thomas Beattie

June 3, 1941 - October 9, 2024