Larry Thayer

Larry "Spook" Thayer, beloved husband, father, brother and Pop, was called to his eternal resting place on August 14, 2024. He was 66 years old. He was born on October 18, 1957, in Independence, KS, to Robert and Sue Thayer. The family moved to Tulsa when Larry was young, where he grew up with a passion for baseball and graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1975.

Larry proudly served his country in the US Army, where he was part of the esteemed 82nd Airborne Division. After receiving an honorable discharge, he pursued his education at Oklahoma State University (OSU) on the GI Bill. It was during his time at OSU, while living in Bennett Hall, that Larry met the love of his life, Melissa Rose. They dated for three years before marrying on March 16, 1985, at the Downtown Pentecostal Holiness Church in Shawnee, OK. He went on to teach Forestry at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 1987 to 1988 and also served as the assistant girls' softball coach.

Larry was a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating the "Pop Shoppe" convenience stores for 35 years, with six locations across Sapulpa, Bixby, Haskell, and Tulsa. He was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Sapulpa School Board from 2006 to 2010 and as a City Councilor. In addition, he dedicated many years to working on the chain gang for Sapulpa High School Football games.

Outside of his professional life, Larry found joy in many hobbies and passions. He cherished his time with his family at their lake house on Grand Lake, where he loved boating, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. He took immense pride in his yard, particularly in his well-maintained Fescue grass, and had a love for music, especially 70's rock and The Rolling Stones. Some of his favorite memories were with his son and cousins during their annual hunting trips in Arizona. He was a true Green Bay Packers fan, a dedicated golfer, and an aficionado of old cars. Larry was especially proud of his beloved 1971 Camaro. His love for fried foods, Little Debbie snack cakes, and his unwavering loyalty to OSU, where he held season tickets for 28 years, were well known. Larry was a jack-of-all-trades, and even auditioned for Survivor in the early years of the show. Larry lived life to the fullest.

Larry was a devoted family man, coaching his kids' sports teams throughout their childhood, attending dance recitals for his daughter and granddaughters, helping his children with FFA and their sheep, and supporting his two granddaughters in all their endeavors. Throughout the years, he maintained very close relationships with his brothers Gary and Rick, sister Lisa, and their extended families.

Known affectionately as "Pop" to his granddaughters, Larry was the ultimate family man. Whether it was allowing his granddaughters to put makeup on him, being at any event they were participating in, or building anything they requested of him including a treehouse that was second to none. Larry's dedication and love for his family were unparalleled. He will be remembered as a hardworking, dedicated man who cherished his family above all else.

Larry leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and fond memories that will forever be cherished by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Melissa Thayer; his daughter, Mindy Drouhard, and her husband, Matt Drouhard; his son, Tyler Thayer; and his cherished granddaughters, Collins Drouhard and Callie Drouhard. He also leaves behind his brothers, Gary Thayer and his wife, Marquita, and Rick Thayer and his wife, Kathy; his sister, Lisa Green, and her husband, Rusty. Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law, Kelly Rose, and his wife, Suzanne; and his sisters-in-law, Emily Rose and Cathy Rose. He will be remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and one aunt.

Services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday August 22, 2024 at Schaudt's Glenpool-Bixby Funeral Service, 1329 East 151st Street South, Glenpool, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family online, www.schaudtfuneralservice.com