Roy Larry Wilson

Roy Larry Wilson, of Amarillo, TX, took his last struggling breath and his first heavenly breath simultaneously, on August 7, 2019 at the age of 76.  He is finally free to breathe without anguish, and his heart is beating stronger than ever in the Heavens.   A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., September 27, 2019 at Trinity Fellowship Church, 5000 Hollywood Road, in the North Student Ministry Center, a separate building from the main church.  Entry is a set of double glass doors, and a sign will be out front indicating services.  A private family gathering will take place at 8100 El Paso Drive, on Thursday evening, September 26, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Larry, as he is best known, was born in Canadian, TX on October 31, 1942 to Harvey and Juanita Durham Wilson.  He was the oldest of his siblings, Danny and Deborah, and was a typical big brother.  He also lived in Perryton, TX where he was a Boy Scout, and later moved with his mother and siblings to Amarillo, TX his senior year, graduating from Tascosa High School in 1961. He met his soon to be one and only, Darlene Grant, and they married on January 6, 1962 and created a life for the next 57 years, including three daughters – Melissa, Melinda and Natalie.  He was forever surrounded by everything girly, with a good mix of “tomboy”.  Larry was also blessed with his grandchildren – McKenna Grant in 1995; and finally got his boys when Brady Grant came along in 1998 and Zachary Hendrix in 2003.  He was given his grandparent name “Grumpy” by his own mother, and it varied among the three grandkids from Grumpy to Grump Grump and just Grump. Larry spent his entire 40-year career as a telephone repairman, first with Western Electric in 1961, and on to Southwestern Bell in 1983 until his retirement on December 12, 2001.  His time off was spent on the golf course, skiing, playing softball and hunting.  He was a master of crossword puzzles and loved westerns – his favorites were Roy Rogers and John Wayne.  He also cheered on his girls and grandkids by being the most loyal and sometimes loudest fan in the stands.  We always knew when Dad was there – you only had to spot the cowboy that was dressed the best – boots, Stetson and all.  A special time was also had he when played on a softball team with Darlene, Melissa and Natalie through West Amarillo Christian Church and Oak Dale Christian Church.  He later joined Trinity Fellowship Church and was a faithful member for more than 20 years. After retirement in 2001, Larry made use of his time working in his shop, whether it be meticulous woodworking, loading his own bullets, or his newfound hobby of making wristbands, keychains, belts and even bullwhips out of paracord.  He was a master, and no design was too difficult for him to take on.  He built quite a collection of guns and loved his time at the shooting range.   Larry also worked part-time at Comanche Golf Course, maintaining the golf carts; and United Supermarkets, sacking groceries and chatting up the customers as he delivered the groceries to their vehicles.  Playing guitar was a long-time dream and he had begun to teach himself and strum a few bars of his favorite old songs.  He continued to support and cheer on Brady throughout his 12-year athletic career and was so proud of the many accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy and Evelyn Durham; his parents, Harvey Wilson and Juanita Wilson; and a niece, Blair Wilson. Those who are here to cherish his memory are his wife Darlene, daughters Melissa Grant (Kord Schrowangen), Melinda Hendrix and Natalie Harrison (Jason); grandchildren McKenna Grant (Ryan Baker), Brady Grant and Zachary Hendrix, all of Amarillo; brother Danny Wilson of Tulsa, OK, nephew Josh Wilson and family of Tucson, AZ, niece Jessica Lucadamo and family of Atlanta, GA; and sister Deborah Wilson of Amarillo; and many cousins and extended family spread throughout Texas and in the northern United States. If you would like to honor Larry, please consider a donation to the newly opened P.E.T.S. Clinic in Amarillo, by going to www.petsclinic.org.  Once in PayPal, you can designate your gift in the notes to the Larry Wilson Fund.  Any florist deliveries will need to be made to the North Student Ministry Center at Trinity Fellowship Church.