Obituary of Doug Largin

Douglas Carl Largin was born September 24, 1934 in Frederick, Oklahoma, the son of Dan Ben and Thelma Ryan Largin. He passed away on Friday, July 30, 2010 at his home in Idabel, Oklahoma surrounded by his family. Growing up in Frederick, Doug made lifelong friendships, played high school football and baseball for the Frederick Bombers, and graduated in 1954. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Frederick. After high school, Doug and many of those same friends decided to join the United States Marine Corps. Following boot camp Doug was stationed in Japan for eighteen months. When his military service ended, Doug attended SOSU in Durant. There he met and married Beth Foster from Idabel, Oklahoma, his bride of more than 53 years. Following college Doug and his family lived in Newkirk, Oklahoma where he became interested in the car business, pursuing it as a career for twenty years. He was a salesman, used car manager and sales manager for Utter-Barks Ford in Sherman, Texas and finally, finance and insurance manager for Bob Utter Ford of Sherman, Texas. Retiring from the car business, Doug pursued a long-time hobby, opening a barbecue café in Whitewright, Texas. In 1988, Doug and Beth moved to her hometown of Idabel where he opened another restaurant. Doug would soon be torn between his gratification in hard work and the arrival of grandchildren. That dilemma was resolved when Doug and Beth moved to the Forest Grove community, where he did a little ranching, and where he and his grandchildren spent countless hours in the garden. He was a wonderful and doting granddaddy; however Doug also found time to be an asset to the Idabel Schools as a substitute teacher, and with his sister-in-law, Fannie Foster, teaching adult education classes at the Vo-Tech. He spent many years working with students at Sonray Industries in Idabel, serving on the Board of Directors until its closure. He loved interacting with young people, yet also devoted many hours visiting, cooking and caring for the sick and elderly in his church and his community. He enjoyed people from diverse walks of life, both in the country and in the community. He attended Forest Hill Baptist Church in Idabel and remained a member of the First Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. Next to family, Doug's greatest joy was being outdoors, appreciating the beautiful scenery of his beloved Oklahoma. He took great pleasure working in the garden with his grandchildren, and delighted in watching new baby calves running across the pasture. Nature was a magnificent work of God to Doug, and he shared that joy with his children and grandchildren. He also loved fast cars, pick-up trucks, and vintage automobiles, watching The History Channel, and all things western (from Johnny Cash to John Wayne). During his recent illness, when family members occasionally tired, his music was always there to sustain him through a long night. Remembering Doug are his wife Beth of Idabel, two daughters, Carla B. Lowing of Denison, Texas, Conni D. Largin and her partner, Richard Chapman, of Oklahoma City, son and daughter-in-law Hank and Kim Largin of Ocoee, Florida; five grandchildren, Lauren, Lyndsi, and LacieBeth Lowing of Denison, Texas, Madeline and Jackson Largin of Ocoee, Florida; one brother and sister-in-law, W.D. and Sonya Largin, Sulphur Springs, Texas. Surviving sisters and brothers-in-law include Fern Hubbard of Grand Saline, Texas; Audrey and Edison Jeffus of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Waurane and Don Hodge of Duncan, Oklahoma; and Missie and Bill Womack of Idabel; numerous nieces and nephews; lifetime Frederick friends; his Braum's breakfast buddies; members of the Idabel High School faculty; local, church, and community friends; and a devoted special friend, Amanda Pondexter of Idabel. His parents, and a sister, Doris Lajoie, preceded him in death. Services will be held Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 3:00 pm at White Family Funeral Home in Idabel, with interment in Forest Hill Cemetery. Family visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm. at the funeral home. Doug always loved flowers, though if preferred, donations made in his honor to the Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org) would also be greatly appreciated.