Larry Mike Whitely "Officer Whitely" was born January 19, 1950 in Alva,
Oklahoma to Corbett and Lillian Whitely. He passed away, July 30, 2014
at Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 64 years, 6 months and 11 days.
Larry grew up in Alva, Oklahoma where he attended school and graduated
in 1969. Shortly after graduation he was married to Karen (Davis) in
Tribune, Kansas on July 5, 1969. After their marriage, they made their
home in Alva and he worked at CR Anthony's for a few months before…
moving to Oklahoma City where he obtained employment as an assistant
manager at TG&Y. In the early 70's Larry and Karen moved to Hutchinson,
Kansas where he served as a police officer for 3 years. They then moved
to Guymon where he continued his civil service as a police officer and a
K-9 officer and also worked with UPS as a supervisor. In 1981 UPS moved
him and Karen to Elk City. In the mid 80's, Larry resumed his police
officer career with the City of Elk City. He worked various positions
including a detective of abused children, K-9 officer and eventually
became a lieutenant. In the early 90's he, along with his son, attended
Redlands Community College and became an intermediate paramedic. Larry
would work weekends for the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe as a paramedic and
then would resume his police officer work during the week. In 2003 Larry
retired only to return in August of 2004 as the school resource officer
(SRO) with the Elk City public school system. His return as the SRO was
because of his dedication to the children and his stern, but loving
demeanor toward them. Larry was a HAM radio operator since 1997 up until
present with his call letters being K5LMW. He was also a member of the
ELKS Lodge, the Elk City Community Church and also enjoyed being a
Sunday school teacher, playing bass guitar in the worship team and
driving a school bus.
He was preceded in death by his father, infant brother, Corbett Vernon
Whitely and a nephew, Jeffrey David Grantham.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, of the home; 2 children, Larry Alan,
Lexington, OK, Nikki LeCrone and husband, Houston, Elk City, OK; 2
grandchildren, Lori Alize and Angel Nicole; his mother, Lillian Whitely,
Elk City, OK; 1 sister, Esther Grantham and husband, P.D., Shady Point,
OK; 1 brother, Lester Whitely, Statford, MO; nephew, Dr. Matthew
Grantham and wife, Dana, Poteau, OK and a host of other relatives and
friends.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in Larry's name to the
"Officer Whitely" Scholarship fund at Legacy Bank, Elk City.
