Larry Defever

Larry Lee DeFever, 85, of Amarillo, passed away on Tuesday December 19, 2023. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday December 27, 2023 at Crossroads Country Church, 14425 Farm to Market Rd. 1541, with Pastor Bob Miller officiating. Anyone wishing to pay their final respects to Larry, viewing will be Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home.

Larry Lee DeFever was born January 1, 1938 in Bell California to Marion Leslie DeFever and Della Alene DeFever. The family lived in Bell California only a few months before moving back to Hereford, Texas and to Amarillo, Texas a few months and finally to White Deer, Texas where he was raised. He graduated from White Deer High School in 1956. He then attended West Texas State College in Canyon, TX where he graduated May 10, 1961. He obtained a degree in sociology. He was also a member of the ROTC Drill & Rifle Team. Mr. DeFever entered into the Army Medical Specialist Corp., where he served as an occupational therapist at Fitz Simmons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. There is where he met and married Dyalthia Bradshaw DeFever in July 6, 1963. He was discharged from the service in August 1964 after receiving a special Honor for outstanding conduct & medal for Expert Marksman. In 1964 he attended Colorado State University at Fort Collins, Colorado and received an Advanced Standing Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1966. They moved to Iowa for 1 year while he worked at the mental health institute and then they moved back to Amarillo in 1967 when he was hired by Northwest Texas Hospital at the Pavilion as Director of Special Therapies where he worked in several capacities such as: Supervisor of Evening Program, Director of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, Director of Underwood Rehab Center and counselor at The Mental Health Clinic where he worked until he retired in September of 1988. In September of 1988 he opened his own practice as a LPC - (Psychotherapist) where he specialized in marital therapy he worked until January of 2008.

Mr. DeFever served on many boards including: Amarillo Children's Cottage Board of Directors for 11 years and 6 years as President of the board. He served on Panhandle Mental Health Association Board, he served on Panhandle Regional Planning Commission Dispute Resolution Board, and he served on Hi-Sky Breeders Board. He was a member of the Texas Panhandle Quarter Horse Association a member of the Amarillo Corvette Club, Amarillo Classic Car Club. He is a member of the Crossroads Country Church. He raised AQHA Palomino Quarter horses at World Level winning 3rd and 5th in World and many top 10 Champions. He enjoyed restoring corvettes in his spare time. He also enjoyed raising and showing quarter horses. He also enjoyed photography where he won 1st place at the Tri-State Fair.

He is preceded in death by his wife Dyalthia DeFever, parents Marion and Della DeFever, a son Dirkland DeFever, brothers Dewayne DeFever and Rodney DeFever and a great grandson Marvin Shannon. Survivors include a son Gregory Shane DeFever, Grandchildren McKenzie Lee DeFever, Carson Shane DeFever, Cody Jo and McKenna DeFever Great-Grandchildren McKenlie Faith Shannon and Jaci Star Bridges.