Oscar Largin

Oscar Walter Largin born March 4, 1922 in Cleburne, Texas to Oscar William Largin and Clara Ann Buis. September 22, 1944 he married Maxine Jones in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 69 years; his daughters Linda Carroll, Valerie Largin and Twyla Cormak (Dave); his grandchildren Scott Carroll (Carol), Katelyn Cormak and Regan Cormak; his great-granddaughter Daniela Carroll and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

They didn't name me right away because my mother had had two babies die soon after birth. My first name entry on my birth certificate was "Not Named" Largin. They waited 3-4 days to name me to make sure I would survive. I went by OW Largin. When I first went to school they asked me what my name was and I told them "OW". They asked me what the initials stood for. I said I'm not sure but my daddy's name is Oscar so I figured it was after him. They asked me what the W stood for and I said I didn't know. They had to call my mother. She told them my father's name was Oscar William, and my older brother's name was Frederick William but my name was Oscar Walter and that was when I learned what my whole name was.

I had one sister and two brothers. My older sister was Mary, my older brother was Fred and my younger brother was Frank. I was the youngest for eight years before Frank was born.

This is the "autobiography" that Oscar wrote in 1986.

1106 N. Wilhite, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, Next door to Grandparents - W.J. Buis until 1925.
Moved to Tyler, Texas until 1928 (Summer)
Moved to 2101 Filmore Street, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas and started to 1st Grade in Crockett Elementary School where I attended 1st thru 5th Grades.
Brother Frank was born at 2101 Filmore, August 14th, 1930.
Moved to 1915 Filmore Fall of 1930.
Moved to 1808 Kemp 1931 (All in Crockett School District)
Moved to Fort Worth in Summer of 1932 (Mary says June 1933 - right after she graduated.) 2201 Fairmont Street (6 mos.)
Moved to Oklahoma City 1934 Jan.? (at mid-term) 1 year (Hardin Jr. High)
Back to Wichita Falls, 1935 (again, at mid-term) 7th Grade (Zundy Jr. High) Second Semester 1810 Buchanan 1 1/2 years
Father dies in April 1936 and in late summer go with Aunt Anna to Cleburne 1105 N. Border 1st Semester 9th Grade (Freshman year) in Cleburne.
Back to Wichita Falls Sr. High for Second Semester of 9th Grade and moved to 1703 Polk Street (Jan. '37) 1 1/2 years.
Summer '38 Moved to 2407 Avenue D, Wichita Falls
Fred had his bad accident Nov. 11, 1938 (21st Birthday)
Graduated (June) (Early) 1939.
I had worked from Spring 1937. Worked for Wichita Post Newspaper until it closed. Worked for Interstate Theaters (State) until school was out. Went to work part-time in 1939 for White House Market.
Maxine and I met in 1940 around the start of school (Sept.) Married 4 years later, September 22, 1944.
Went into Marines in San Diego, August 1942. Discharged in February 1946.
1610 Monroe - First House! (Rented)
Sherwood Lane - First House Owned.
Linda born July 28, 1948 - Linda Lou Largin
Valerie born Sept. 24, 1950 - Valerie Ann Largin
Recalled to Marines Oct. 5, 1950 - Camp Pendleton, CA Discharged Early Dec. 1951 - Christmas on Sherwood Lane
Moved to 4412 Phillips Drive 1954
Twyla born Dec. 10, 1955 - Twyla Sue Largin
Moved to Denver Sept. 1959.
Moved to Fremont, California Sept. 1964.
Moved to Richardson, Texas July 1970.

My dad was a traveling salesman so I didn't hear my parents have many conversations since he was gone a lot. My father died when I was fourteen years old. After my father died my mother was hospitalized so I went to live with my Aunt Lou Anna "Anna" and her family, Uncle Richard Henry Beaver, their four children in Cleburne about one school semester. When my mother got out of the hospital she took me back to Wichita Falls to live with her and my younger brother, Frank. Mother bought a house for $1800 on 2470 Ave D the fall of 1938. I had a paper route to help the family out since my mother didn't have a job. Later my mother worked at the high school baking cakes. After I was married my mother would bring us a cake every day. On Saturdays our friends Jack and Bobbie Coleman came over and ate with us every week.

How is the world different now than when you were a child?
No one locked their doors. Everyone was friends. Now we lock our doors and worry about people stealing from us. We went to church twice on Sunday and everyone was nice to each other and loved one another. The most important thing my mother and father taught me was "Play nice! You will see the same people tomorrow!"

In 1938 they had a program where people could go into the service for a year. I had been passed over because I was taking care of my mother and little brother. It took me several months to get them to take me into the Marine Corps. She was listed as my dependent so she got $18.00 per month. Then it went up to $50 so I could give her more. That didn't leave me a lot of money either. When I was sent overseas it was easier because I didn't need money so I could send her all but $10. Mother was working then at the high school.

How did you meet your wife?
I met Maxine when she was 16. I was 18 and out of high school. She and her sister, Liz, and another one of their friends were in the backyard. I was out walking with my friend, Bill Price, and another man. Bill arranged for all of us to go out that night. She was supposed to be with me and I sang to her. She didn't think much of me. I thought was that and she did too.
If Maxine didn't already have a date or other options, she'd go out with me somewhere. Two years younger than me. If she wasn't available I would go out with someone else. We all kind of knew each other.

We married after four years of dating. I didn't propose to her before I went into the service. I hadn't seen her for two years but we had written to each other. When I came home she came over to see me. I gave her a ring. She'd keep it for a few days and she'd give it back. A few days later I'd give it back to her. It went back and forth 5-6 times. I went back to the service. The jewelry store kept it for me. We continued to correspond. She was working for the telephone company.

I was in Arkansas and I got a weekend off. Even though I was not supposed to leave the state, I called Maxine and asked her, "If I come in this Friday night do you think we could get married?" She said she had a date but she thought she could break it. My mother, Mrs. Coleman and others prepared for the wedding and had a party for Maxine. My train was late, so I called a friend to get the marriage license and such. We got married that night.

Wedding Ceremony: The man who Maxine was supposed to go on a date with came to the wedding to make sure she was really getting married. Maxine's mother, sister Liz, her aunt Florence, my mother and my little brother, Frank. A circuit minister married us at First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls.

We went to Fort Worth and spent the night at my cousin Everett and his wife Evelyn's house. I left Maxine and they got her back to Wichita Falls. I took the train back to Arkansas. When I arrived I was told we were going overseas. Since I had only been back three months, they sent me to North Carolina instead. Our friend, Bill Price, brought Maxine out to North Carolina.

After a year they sent me overseas. By the time I got there, the bomb was dropped. I thought I would be sent home but I was sent to China instead. I finally came home to Wichita Falls. Maxine seemed glad to see me. We moved into a small house. When Maxine and I lived in Wichita Falls as a young married couple, I was at church more than I was home. We worked with children and local outreach. Dr. Landes and Bill Knight worked with me. Bill and I were his two right hand men. We were out evangelizing every night.

Who was the person who had the most positive influence on your life? Jesus Christ has had the most influence on my life and He has taken care of us and provided for us. Dr. Landes influenced where I moved when I moved back to Texas in 1970. He introduced me to Johnny Mackey who became one of my dearest friends. Jim DePrato, too.

Has anyone ever saved your life?
In the war people were killed on both sides of me and the Lord saved me.
Valerie's birth caused me to miss a boat that all the passengers were killed on.
I had cancer and the Lord cured me.
A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at First Baptist Richardson, 1001 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas 75080. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Richardson or a charity of your choice.