Larry Dobbins
Funeral services for Larry D. Dobbins, 69 year old Thomas, Oklahoma resident, were held on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at the First Christian Church in Thomas. Pastor Dan Weaver and Pastor Mark Morey officiated. Burial was in Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.
Larry D. Dobbins was born on Nov. 11, 1946, in Oklahoma City, to Dalbert and JoElla (Roberts) Dobbins, and passed away on Nov. 12, 2015, in the home that he had built in Thomas. Larry’s roots run deep in the Thomas community. It was started when his grandfather, Cecil Dobbins, moved his family to the Thomas area where Larry lived his entire life and graduated from Thomas High School in 1965. While in high school, he was quarterback on the football team and was selected as an Oklahoma All-Stater. He was also active in basketball, track as a pole vaulter, band and FFA.
Larry attended Northwestern State College in Alva. He played quarterback for the Rangers. It was his freshman year when he met the love of his life, Linda J. Patterson, whom he went on to marry on Dec. 28, 1967. Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969. The couple then returned to his home community of Thomas where they began their family and he began and grew his business.
Larry’s career after college stemmed from his custom harvesting business that had begun when he was 14 years old with his brother Ronnie. Larry and Linda bought their first farm and ranch land in 1969 and in 1970 Larry started the cattle business which eventually grew to become Dobbins Feedlot.
In 1974 and 1975, Larry and his brother Ronnie, started T&M which was a roustabout and trucking company and Testco which was a gas production testing service company. By this time, they had expanded the cattle company into Dobbins Feedlot. Larry remained active as manager of the business, until the most recent years when his son Lance took over management of the feedlot, ranching and farming business.
Larry’s feeling of accomplishment was seeing his children grow and become successful in their own careers. You could not talk to Larry without having to hear about his children. Lance grew up by his side, learning and developing the same passion for cattle and continuing the tradition of the Dobbins Feedlot. Lorri attended his alma mater at NWOSU and now practices as an OB-GYN physician in Oklahoma City.
Larry had in the past been a pilot, and he loved the hobby of flying. He served as Custer County Cattlemen’s Association President. He was on numerous executive and prestigious Boards at NWOSU. He has routinely given an anonymous scholarship at NWOSU. He was on the Excise Board for Custer County and served as Vice-Chairman of the Thomas Economic Development Authority for over 20 years which has helped to create over 200 plus jobs in the area.
Larry was most passionate about his family, farming and ranching, and working the cattle numbers. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Rheanna Jo, Rhett, Rheid, Mack and Logan. He kept his THS 1965 classmates very near and dear to him. He always made it a priority to stop and help his friends especially in their times of need. He was baptized and remained a member of The First Christian Church of Thomas his entire life, where he also served as a Deacon. He loved what he called “Thomas America” and gave from his heart.
Larry is survived by his wife, Linda J. Dobbins, of their home in Thomas; one daughter, Dr. Lorri Jo Dobbins and her husband, Lance Haggard, of Mustang; one son, Lance W. Dobbins and his wife, Rachel Dobbins, of Thomas; five grandchildren, Logan Haggard and Mack Haggard of Mustang, and Rheanna Jo Dobbins, Rhett Dobbins, and Rheid Dobbins of Thomas. He would also want mentioned the dogs that he loved so much, Maggie and Buddy. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Dalbert I. Dobbins and JoElla Dobbins, and his Best Friend, his brother Ronnie Dobbins, as well as many close friends over the years.