LARRY GENE MAPES

Larry Gene Mapes, of Claremore, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 16th, 2024. After fighting a long, hard fight with his health, he passed peacefully at the age of 85.

He was born in Oronogo, Missouri on September 15, 1939. Larry was a beloved husband, father, and papaw, who dedicated many years of his life to helping others and standing strong in his Christian faith. He served eight years in the Air Force, where he began traveling the world as an aircraft mechanic and then later became a Staff Sergeant as a flight engineer. Larry welcomed his first son, Jack, into the world in 1959, and his second son, Jeff, came along in 1962. He had many hobbies that included wood carving, sailing, and traveling the world with the love of his life. 

On March 1, 1974, Larry married his devoted wife of 50 years, Loretta, at the Carpentaria Baptist Church in California. At this time, Larry’s family grew from just himself and his two sons, to also welcoming with open arms, Loretta’s two daughters, Sonja and Brigette. Larry and Lorretta were then re-married again in 1985 at the First United Methodist Church in Tulsa, OK. In October of 2004, the two renewed their vows on a Windjammer Cruise in the Polynesia Islands. 

After 25 years as an employee of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Larry officially retired in 2002 as a Senior Quality Control Engineer for the Missile and Fire Control Division. He continued consulting for Lockheed Martin following retirement, until he was no longer physically able to travel. 

Larry is survived by his wife, Loretta Mapes, his children, Jeff Mapes, Sonja Litterell and husband, Milburn, and Brigette Carr-Burgess, grandchildren Amanda, Brandlyn, Jeff, Levi, Jake and wife Sarah, Emily and husband Zachery, Paige and husband Seth, Hannah, Morgan, and great-grandchildren Waylon, Adley, Joanna, and Carson. 

Larry was proceeded in death his father, Eugene Mapes, mother, Edna Mapes, sister, Ann Davis, and son, Jack Mapes. 

Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 22, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at First Methodist Church of Claremore, Oklahoma. Graveside ceremony will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Next Step Loan Fund for the First Methodist Church of Claremore.