Larry Dale Harlen

Larry Dale Harlen was born on December 4, 1954, the 9th of 10 kids to Willard and Alice Harlen of Webb City, Missouri. He traveled during his formative years, spending time in Wenatchee, Washington and Webb City, Missouri. He graduated high school and married his first wife. To this union, a daughter, Penny Louise was born in 1973. They soon divorced and Larry moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma to follow a friend and went to work in a foundry there. Larry met his second wife, Barbara Salmon; they were married on May 8, 1976, after knowing each other only 31 days. This marriage lasted 50 years and 2 months, until Larry’s passing on July 26, 2026. They shared a son, Jeffrey Dale, and a daughter, Michelle Rence. They moved several times throughout their lives with their last residence being in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Larry worked at numerous auto parts stores, retiring from O’Reilly’s in December of 2019. He enjoyed listening to southern rock music, playing pool, and attending car shows. He also enjoyed the 60s and 70s muscle cars the most, along with local stock car races and watching NASCAR on TV. After retirement, he liked playing games on his phone, phone calls with friends, and watching TV, especially Gunsmoke. Larry had a sweet tooth and ate a lot of candy bars, pies, and Oreos. Larry was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. He fought the good fight, undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and immuno therapy. The cancer was just too much for him and he succumbed to it on July 24, 2026. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tommy and Jack; and twin sisters, Lela Fidler and Lillie Witt. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; daughter, Penny Patrick (Ben) of Joplin, Missouri; son, Jeffrey Dale Harlen (Laura) of Hulbert, Oklahoma; daughter, Michelle Renee Harlen of Fort Smith, Arkansas; sisters, Mary Shepard of Cashmere, Washington, Glenda Pollard and Dorothy Melton, both of Carthage, Missouri; brothers, Ray Harlen of Wenatchee, Washington and Richard Harlen of Molalla, Oregon; seven grandchildren and seven-great-grandchildren, with an 8th one due in November; brother-in-law, Pat Salmon (Shelly); sisters-in-law, Toni Leach (Dave) and Shirley Salmon. Larry’s request for cremation has been honored. The family will have a celebration of life for Larry at a later time. The family wishes to thank friends and family, Hastings Hospital and the staff there involved in Larry’s care, along with Gentiva Hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Center in Larry’s honor.

Larry Dale Harlen

December 4, 1954 - July 24, 2026