Larry Filkins

The Celebration of Life service for Arthur John "Larry" Filkins will be 10 a.m., Fri., April 10, Larry's 91st birthday, at the Claremore VFW. Burial with military honors by the VFW will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thurs. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

Larry went home to join his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife, Janie, on April 1, 2015.

The son of Arthur John Filkins and Helen (Howcroft) Filkins was born April 10, 1924, in Ft. Hunter, NY. Larry was drafted in 1943 and proudly served in the 1st Army 3rd Armored Division under General Bradley as a combat medic. He landed on Normandy Beach D-day plus 3 and fought his way through France and into Germany. His greatest challenge during the war was the Battle of the Bulge enduring the worst winter in 50 years. His unit also liberated Dachau Concentration Camp.

He recieved a Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation for Efficiency, Honor and Fidelity Medal. Seventy yeasr later he also received the French Legion of Merit, the highest honor bestowed on France's allies.

He was honorably discharged and returned home as a singer in the Big Band Era using his velvet smooth voice which opened the door to a career in TV and radio.

In 1948 he met the love of his life, Jane Phillippe. They married in 1949 and embarked on a 54 year honeymoon. This marriage was blessed with three children, Debbie, Larry, Jr. and Steven.

Larry was instrumental in establishing the TV and radio stations at Rogers State College. Many former students have expressed their love and appreciation of him as a teacher as well as a friend.

Upon retirement he and his bride went on donkey hunts amassing over 1400 individually documented donkey figurines of all shapes, sizes and kinds....this is no joke!

When his beloved wife passed away he became very active in the VFW, DAV, American Legion and the Wounded Warrior Project. He was twice Grand Marshall of the Claremore Veterans Day Parade.

He also loved to shoot pool at the Senior Citizens and VFW. He was quite competitive and was well liked.

Larry was an inspirational man, living life to the fullest and touching many hearts and minds. And like the song, Larry would say, "I did it my way". He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be truly missed by many. He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Jane; his parents; granddaughter, Holly; great-grandson, Zach; and his in-laws, Dick and Bertha Phillippe who loved him like a son.

He is survived by his children: Debbie Wildey and her husband, Ron, Larry Filkins and wife, Laura, and Steve Filkins; grandchildren: Travis Cartmell and wife Shanti, Emily Wildey Cole and husband, Jordan, Heather Helton and husband, Richard, and Lacie Filkins; great-grandchildren: Marqus Rutledge, Noah Cartmell, Sarah Jane Cole, Levi and Lane Helton, and Darin Campbell.