Funeral services for Larry K. Gilchrist in Norman will be 10 am, Friday, August 8, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor David Nehrenz officiating. A lunch will follow the service. Funeral services in Enid will be 2pm, Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Lahoma, OK. The family will receive friends at 1pm Saturday until service time at the funeral home.
Larry was born November 10, 1937 in Freeport, IL, the son of Leslie and Virginia Gilchrist and passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in Norman, OK. He graduated from Freeport, IL High School in 1955, Knox College, IL in 1959 with a degree in Mathematics, Texas A&M, TX in 1973 with a Master’s degree in Meteorology and the University of Oklahoma in 1997 with a Master’s degree in Mathematics. He was united in marriage to Nadine A. Ehlers June 3, 1962 in Lahoma, OK at Zion Lutheran Church. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Norman.
Larry served in the United States Air Force for 20 years where he was a meteorologist and instructor. He was stationed at Mt. Home Air Force Base, ID; Vietnam, where he served as a Detachment Commander; Bryan, TX; Chanute Air Force Base, IL; Scott Air Force Base, IL; Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany; and Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City, OK. During his service he graduated from several military schools including National Security Management, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. He also received The Air Force commendation Medal for Meritorious Service and a Bronze Star for distinguishing himself my meritorious service as chief Forecaster and Detachment Commander in Vietnam while engaged in support of air and ground operations against an opposing armed force. During these periods, while exposed to the constant threat of hostile fire, he established and maintained a very vital weather service in support of military operations. He demonstrated outstanding planning ability, versatility and managerial techniques. Larry retired as a Major in 1982.
Larry also taught at Phillips University, Oklahoma State University, Rose State College and the University of Oklahoma. He was a member Pi Mu Epsilon, an honor society for mathematics and Chi Epsilon Pi, an honor society for meteorology.
He is a member of the American Volksport Association and has volksmarched in places around Europe, the United States, and 77 counties of Oklahoma.
Survivors include his wife, Nadine; daughter Leda of Norman; and son Carl of Oklahoma City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Larry’s name for a pipe organ, may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church at 603 Classen Boulevard, Norman, OK 73071.
Online condolences may be left at primrosefuneralservice.com.
Services have been entrusted to the care of Primrose Funeral Service in Norman and Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home in Enid.