Larry Kroeker

Larry Kroeker was born on April 19, 1949 in Clinton, Oklahoma and grew up on a wheat farm three miles outside of Corn, Oklahoma. He loved cars and would often attend the car races as a young boy. Larry helped out by driving the tractor and combine on the family farm. He enjoyed time away from the farm as well and as a child took a family vacation to California to see grandparents.

He attended Washita Heights School for grades K through 8 and Corn Bible Academy for grades 9 through 12 where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class. Larry played the baritone in band, sang in the choir and was on the annual staff. He met Jeanie, his future wife, when he was a senior in high school. Larry was known for his red motorcycle that he would often ride through the town of Corn. Following high school Larry attended Tabor College for two years and then transferred to The University of Oklahoma where he would get up at 4:00 a.m. to roll and throw newspapers on his route before attending classes. Larry enjoyed his time in Norman and made it a point to attend all of the basketball and football games that were played while he was a student. Larry and Jeanie were married on July 11, 1970. He graduated in 1972 from OU with a BS in Mathematics/Computer Science and an MS in Computer Science and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Larry got a job at Texas Instruments and moved to Garland, Texas where he remained for 11 months. While at TI in Dallas, Larry worked on the Computer Architecture Team and was also a software engineering manager. In 1973 he transferred to Huntsville, Alabama and Larry and Jeanie were blessed with the birth of their daughter Angela on July 26, 1974. The family moved back to Dallas two years later and their son Chad was born on December 29, 1976.

During the 1980's Larry wrote "DF Edit" which was an early predecessor to the Windows operating system. In 1981 he was recognized as a Senior Member Technical Staff and in 1990 was awarded MIR of the Year at TI. Larry went to work for Raytheon Systems Company in 1997 when his project was bought out and became an employee of Terion, Inc. when his project was sold again. He designed and developed the data center software applications for Fleetview trailer tracking and was employed by General Electric from 2007 until 2009. In the last few years Larry has enjoyed working for the Frisco Roughriders as a ticket taker. He had fun interacting with the fans and watching the games. Larry also was employed by H&R Block as a tax preparer in 2009 and 2010.

In their down time, Larry and Jeanie enjoyed going on cruises. As a couple and with family, they took over 15 cruises including Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii and Boston/New England. Vacations were important to Larry and he took his family on a summer trip every year. He enjoyed camping and had a pop trailer and eventually upgraded to an RV trailer. A couple of years later, he upgraded again to a 32 ft. 5th wheel camper. In 2009, Larry traveled to Mexico with Grace of Giving to help build a house for a needy family and the following year went to Terlingua to help Grace of Giving build a church. Larry had great plans to travel around the country in his trailer enjoying retirement. Unfortunately, Larry was not able to see that plan come full circle as the Lord chose to call him to his eternal home on September 15, 2011.

Larry is survived by his wife Jeanie, daughter Angela, son Chad and his wife Diana, grandchildren Ethan and Carley, brother Virgil and his wife Marilyn and numerous nieces, nephews, a loving extended family and many friends.

A memorial service to honor Larry's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at Stonebriar Community Church Atrium, 4801 Legendary Drive, Frisco, Texas 75034 with Dr. Taylor Gardner officiating.

If desired, the family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials in Larry's memory be made to Grace of Giving, 2707 Oak Ridge, Clifton, Texas 76634 or Corn Bible Academy Scholarship Fund, PO Box 38, Corn, Oklahoma 73024.