Elbert Lawrence (Larry) Bradshaw was born June 20, 1935 in Cheyenne, Oklahoma to Genevieve Inez (Mouser) and Jesse Elbert Bradshaw. He passed away Friday, March 17, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Ok, at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 25 days.
Larry was raised in Cheyenne, Ok and attended Cheyenne Public School, graduating in 1953. Upon graduation he attended Oklahoma City University on a basketball scholarship. The OCU Chiefs were nationally ranked all three years Larry played, traveling from coast to coast. His teammates who were “country boys” like Larry became lifelong friends. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelors of Arts degree and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Before leaving for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia, Larry married Marie “Tillie” (Scott) in Raton, New Mexico on August 16, 1957. After being commissioned as an Officer and a Gentleman, he entered pre-flight school at NAS Pensacola, Florida, training as a fighter jet pilot. Upon graduation from flight school, Larry earned his wings and was assigned to a squadron at NAS Cherry Point, North Carolina flying both fighter and attack jets. In 1961 after serving 4 years, Larry obtained an honorable discharge and returned with his young family to Cheyenne where he and Tillie made their home until his death. Larry farmed and ranched with his father and began his second career as an elementary school math teacher and basketball coach at Cheyenne Public Schools. Larry continued his education obtaining both a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in School Administration. For 20 years Larry served as the Cheyenne Elementary School principal until his retirement in 1996.While serving as Principal he continued to teach elementary math and coaching the pee wee basketball teams. Throughout his life, Larry gave back to the community where he grew up, immersing himself in civic duties which included being a founding member of the Cheyenne Educational Foundation, plus serving on the Cheyenne City Board, the Roger Mills Memorial Hospital Board, and the Cheyenne Airport Board. In recognition of his commitment to education, youth, and community, Larry received the Legacy Award from Oklahoma City University in 1996. In 2003 OCU also inducted Larry into its Basketball Hall of Fame. Larry’s foundation was his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. From the age of 9, Larry was a member of Cheyenne First Baptist Church where he served many years as a deacon. In October 2021 he was recognized as the oldest living member of the church.
While the world saw a tall, serious Marine or school principal, his family saw a loving, gentle giant of a man who loved joking around with and teasing his friends and family, who loved playing with his kids and all the neighborhood kids whether it was backyard baseball, driveway basketball games, setting up a footrace track around the house, and lately throwing water balloons with his youngest great grandchildren. Larry loved not only his family, but people in general. He had a true servant’s heart and, when he saw a need, he gave generously but anonymously as he never wanted or needed the recognition. He was a “Dad”, a mentor, and a welcoming home for any youth who needed a family atmosphere. To Larry, every kid mattered and deserved to be loved. Larry is survived by his wife, Tillie, of the home; 4 children, Lynda Lucas and husband Frank, Roll, OK; Michael, Bradshaw, Cheyenne, OK; Christy Daboval and husband Kevin, Bixby, OK; and Kimberly Sander and husband, Stuart, Cheyenne, OK; 7 grandchildren, Jessica Bentley and husband, Steven; Ashlea Yager and husband, Nehemiah; Grant Lucas and wife, Taylor; Genevieve Daboval; Jason Daboval; Kate Frantz and husband, Matthew; and Leah Sander; 5 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Barbara Murdock and husband, Lloyd, Princeton, KY and Jan Cloyde, Los Angeles, CA; 2 nephews, 1 niece and their families and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 at 1:30 PM at the Cheyenne First Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Dennis Hooper and Pastor Jason Holland. There will be a private family burial before the memorial service officiated by Pastor Jason Holland. Arrangements are under the direction of Chris Whinery and the staff of Affordable Cremation Service-West. Condolences can be made online at www.classicfunerals. com
The family suggest memorial donations be made to the Cheyenne Educational Foundation at P.O. Box 142, Cheyenne, OK 73628.