Larry Wray Hart

June 13, 1946 - August 21, 2026

Larry Wray Hart, 80, of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, surrounded by his family in love and prayer.

Larry was born in Abilene, Texas, to Wray Willard Hart and Billie Sue Collins Hart. He grew up in Eunice, New Mexico, where he graduated from high school in 1964. A gifted athlete, Larry played baseball and football, helping his teams win multiple state championships and earning All-State football honors.

After high school, Larry attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, on a baseball scholarship before earning his Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern New Mexico University.

Larry met his high school sweetheart, Dena Louise Key, and they married in 1966. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, education, and athletics. Their son, Mick, was born March 31, 1969, and their daughter, Michele, on November 28, 1970.

Larry was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on June 18, 1969, and proudly served his country before returning to teaching and coaching. He taught and coached in Texaco and Lovington, New Mexico, and Guymon, Oklahoma, before spending more than 30 years at Kingfisher High School. To generations of students and athletes, Larry was a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend. He was famous for telling his athletes to "rub some dirt on it."

Larry loved music and played the piano throughout his life. He enjoyed old Western movies and cowboy music, especially John Wayne and Hank Williams. He rarely missed a Dallas Cowboys game and loved baseball, basketball, hunting, and especially golf. He could never get enough of it-and he was very, very good at it. He loved animals, especially bird dogs, cats, and cardinals, and found joy in simple things like a cold Coke, cutting the grass, hamburgers, brownies, and coconut cream pie.

A lifelong athlete, Larry continued to snow ski, water ski, and tube well into his early 70s. He won countless golf tournaments over the years, and many people might suggest that he's played the most rounds out of anyone on Kingfisher golf course.

Above all, Larry was a strong Christian man who loved people and made them feel loved in return. He was an elder at Kingfisher Church of Christ and always ready to lend an ear or helping hand. His faith and family were the foundation of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Dena; his brother Joe, and wife Olga; Joe's sons Andrew, Joey, and Christopher; his son, Mick, and wife Tina, and their children Lindsey and her husband Fred, Erin, and Reese; his daughter, Michele, and husband Ricky, and their children Peyton and her husband Dakota, Trey and his wife Mikah, and Paige; Michele's stepchildren Whitney, and her husband Cale, Emily, and Tyler; and his great-grandchildren Lizzy, Marston, Emory, Anna, and Macy.

Larry lived a big, vibrant and meaningful life. He loved hard, worked hard, played hard, and left a little piece of himself with everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry's memory to: Westview Boys' Home,120 W. Broadway St., Hollis, OK,73550; Tipton Children's Home, 1000 N. Broadway Ave., Tipton, OK 73570; High Plains Children's Home, 11461 SW. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118