Larry Earl Wheatley, 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 2:45 a.m. at Westhaven Nursing Home and Rehab. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Burial following in Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Born Larry Earl Wheatley on August 31, 1947 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, he was the son and only child of Earl Stewart and Mary Anna (Hixson) Wheatley. He attended Eden Center and Lincoln School in Stillwater before finally graduating from C. E. Donart in 1965.

From there, Larry went on to earn an associate's degree in building construction from Oklahoma State University. He graduated in December of 1970 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical power.

Larry enlisted in the Army Reserves from1970 to 1976. The Stillwater unit was affectionately called "F Troop" and was under the leadership of Norman Filtz.

Larry married Sharon Kay Ritthaler on August 28, 1971. They were married at the First United Methodist Church in Perry. They were married for 52 years. They had no children.

Larry helped his dad in the earth-moving business. Not only did he ride scrapers but he also rode bulldozers. The business became known as "Earl Wheatley and Son".

Larry also helped do reclamation work at Welch, Oklahoma. That job lasted 6 months. Closer to home, Larry worked at Stewart Stone. Not only did he work at their Cushing location, but he also worked at their Pawnee location as well.

Last, but not least, Larry and his dad did a lot of work for the railroad. He will always be known for his iconic blue and white striped railroad engineers cap and black suspenders. They soon became his famous trademark!

Those wishing to honor Larry's memory may do so by contributing to The Salvation Army, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and Legacy Hospice.