Larry Wallace Grissom, 71, of Friendswood, Texas, died February 2nd, 2022, nine months after receiving a diagnosis for terminal brain cancer and stalwartly enduring the full treatment of chemotherapy and radiation. Larry was born to Herman Wallace Grissom and Ina Mardee Grissom in Artesia, New Mexico on September 21st, 1950. He was raised predominantly in the farming community of Rhea, near Bovina, Texas with his brothers, Royce, Don, and Chip.
Larry attended West Texas State University from 1968 to 1972, graduating with a Bachelors in Math and Education. He attended Texas Tech University from 1975 to 1977 while simultaneously teaching public school, driving a school bus, and selling shoes at Sears. After graduating with a Masters in Math, he took a job at NASA, driving from Lubbock to Houston with his wife, two dogs, and all their possessions packed into a tiny pickup truck.
Larry's first position at NASA was in the Flight Simulation Division of the JSC Data Systems and Analysis Directorate, developing mathematical models for the Shuttle's onboard systems. In 1988 he accepted a position in Mission Operations Directorate, then became Office Chief for Facilities Reconfiguration Office the following year. He subsequently worked on the ISS in various capacities for the next twenty years: a transfer to the Space Station Avionics Verification Office in 1991; another transfer to the Engineering Simulators Branch of the Automation, Robotics, and Simulation Division in 1995; a reassignment to Flight Robotic Systems Branch in 2003; and a final appointment to ISS Robotics in 2014. After forty-three years as a civil servant, he retired in December of 2020.
More than his work history or his education, Larry was a son, a husband, a father, and a friend. He drove home from college as often as he could to help his parents around the farm. He helped support his mother from across the state after his father died. He worked hard at his job to provide for his family, made time for homework and family trips, sang his children to sleep when they were infants, and contracted himself as handyman for nearly every project around the house. He was a craftsman, a woodworker, electrician, plumber, and architect. Larry had a kind word and a smile for everyone he met, a bit of West Texas wit for anyone fortunate enough to hear it.
Though he moved away when he was young, the farm life was never left behind. Larry spent his free time cultivating what he called "a little slice of heaven", a microcosm of the community where he'd grown up working with his father and brothers. He designed and built a barn with his sons' help, and rode horses with his daughter and granddaughters. Places were found for rabbits, chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats because Larry loved animals, especially his horses.
Larry is survived by his three children, Justin, Brandon, and Reagan; five grandchildren, Sadie, Jocelyn, Emery, Alexis, and Zikora; son-in-law, KC; and granddaughter by marriage, Cassidy. This doesn't include his extended family, his NASA family, his trivia family, his horse-riding family, his church family, and his neighborhood family. Through Christmas letters, flower deliveries, social events, birthday cakes at work, and a helping hand or open ear whenever it was needed, he made every acquaintance a friend and every friend a family member.
From working the fields on a small farm in the Texas Panhandle to coordinating with international teams in support of projects at NASA, Larry lived more than 71 years should be able to hold. He was a proud American, happily declaring his birthday as the day he received his US citizenship. He believed in the American dream because he lived it. He believed in the power of honesty, hard work, faith, and family. And he lived what he believed. At his core he was the simple man no one suspected could be hidden behind the vast vocabulary and bottomless depth of knowledge floating behind his eyes. His impeccable and meticulously maintained appearance, the flowing art of his handwriting, the air of professional decorum that followed him in formal gatherings, it was all belied by the boisterous and unmistakable laugh that never failed to fill a room.
A memorial service will be held in Wesley Hall at the Friendswood United Methodist Church in Friendswood, Texas on March 12, 2022.
Donald Curtis Powell, 85, of Rockdale passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Rockdale Estates in Rockdale. He was born on November 22, 1936 to Andy and Leola (Poteet) Powell in Hale Center, Texas.
In 1958, he married Anita Sorley in a little country church in Valleyview, Texas. He retired as a custodial supervisor for Dumas ISD in Dumas Texas. He and Anita worked at Fun Valley Resort in Colorado for 13 seasons after retirement. He enjoyed RVing with Anita, and fishing. He loved spending time with his family and cherished all the time he spent with his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great great grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Leola Powell; daughter, Becky Menefee; brother, Jack Powell; and sister, Marlene Hall.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Anita Powell of Rockdale; sons, Brad Powell and wife Barbara of Rockdale, and Stan Powell and wife Linda of Somerville; grandchildren, Tiffany, Megan, Dusty, Shae, Brittany, Cody, and Christy; 16 great grandchildren; and several great great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Curtis Powell please visit our Sympathy Store at www.phillipsandluckey.com
Terry Lee Stull, 78 of Bovina passed away February 10, 2022 in Muleshoe. Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later date. Cremation arrangements by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Terry was born June 21, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio. He married Deborah Kay Truelsen in 2005. He was a retired industrial electrician, a very social cowboy that worked at many cattle feed yards, loved horses and horse training, and traveling.
He is preceded in death by his parents John Thomas Shearer, and LaVonne Stull.
Those to mourn his passing include is wife Debbie Stull of Bovina, 3 sons-Todd, Guy Dean and Dusty Fennell, all of Phoenix, AZ., 1 daughter- Jodi Lynn Walton-Bell of Hamilton, Canada, 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com
Gladys Marie Day left this Earth for her heavenly home on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the age of 92 in Amarillo, Texas. Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, February 21, 2022 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel. Arrangements by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
She was born to Dan and Camille Lacewell on November 25, 1929, in Ector, Texas. The Lacewell's moved to Friona when Gladys was 3 years old. She was a lifelong resident of Friona until moving to Midland and Canyon to be closer to her children after her husband Herbert's passing.
Gladys graduated from Friona High School in 1949. During her high school years Gladys enjoyed playing basketball and cheerleading. She married her high school sweetheart, Herbert Day, on June 21, 1949. They had three daughters commonly known as the "Day Girls".
Gladys was a devoted wife and mother. She supported Herbert in farming and trucking for many years. She made sure her girls went to Sunday School and church and Gladys and the girls were involved in Brownies and Girl Scouts, as well as piano lessons and sewing. She also loved supporting her three girls in basketball. She was an avid gardener and bird watcher and loved to make all types of crafts with Herbert, her girls, and granddaughters. She was an excellent cook and loved hosting large family holiday meals. She was also a devoted Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Texas Rangers fan. She also loved board games, especially playing "Wa-Hoo" with her family.
Gladys wore many hats while living in Friona from working at the Parmer County Community Hospital, in Dr. Shackelford's dentist office, as well as The City of Friona and Hi-Pro. Gladys also delivered meals on wheels and served on the Friona Cemetery Board for many years. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Day, her parents Dan and Camielle Lacewell, brothers Robert Lacewell and wife Martha, brother Tommy Lacewell and wife Mary, a grandson Kyle Oden and a granddaughter Kayla Everett.
Gladys is survived by her daughters Myra Oden and husband Tim of Moriarty, New Mexico, Dian Gerber and husband Gary of Canyon, Tena Waggoner and husband Danny of Midland, grand children including Kendra Oden Koder and husband Alan of Concord, Massachusetts, Toni Gerber Shanks and husband Greg of Canyon, Danielle Gerber of Canyon, and Jeff Gerber of Canyon. Also, Meagan Pasco and husband Josh of Midland and Shawn Everett husband of the late Kayla Waggoner Everett, nine great-grandchildren including Aiden, Owen, and Evan Koder of Massachusetts, Adlee and Aven Shanks of Canyon, Jett and Tripp Pasco of Midland and Ella and Quinn Everett of Bluffton, South Carolina, one nephew Blake Lacewell and wife Regina of Dumas.
Special thanks to Pam with BSA Hospice and the staff at Hillside Heights for their care . And very special thank you to her new friends Vergie, Phyllis, Birdie, Vernell, Mary Jane and Mary Jo.
In leu of flowers please consider a donation to Prairie Acres Nursing Home or the Friona Cemetery Association in honor of Gladys.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com