I know the blessings of my own table and the warmth of my own bed. I know how much of life is pure chance, and how great a gift I have been given simply to be who I am. And when I am old, and my body has begun to fail me, my memories will be waiting for me. They will lift me and carry me over mountains and oceans. I will hold them and turn them and watch them catch the sunlight as they come alive once more in my imagination. I will be rich and I will be at peace. -Kent Nerburn
Larry served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
Larry L. Halford was born at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 22 or maybe even the 23rd (depending on who you ask), of 1948. He was one of four children born to Raymon and Gloria Halford. He passed away in the late afternoon of November 22, 2022, at Immanuel Hospital. Larry grew up in Omaha and Fort Calhoun on a horse farm. He faced numerous challenges as a child, which helped to build his character and develop him into a courageous young man.
As a sophomore at Fort Calhoun High School, Larry met the one person who would forever change his life, a petite young lady named Linda Ringler. They quickly became high school sweethearts, but after graduation their lives together had to be placed on hold, as Larry was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. He eventually cut off all ties with Linda believing he may never return home from the war. Meanwhile, back home, Linda was heartbroken and decided she must move on with her life. After 9 months of serving his country, Larry was shot by a Viet Cong sniper while making repairs to his tank. Unknown to him at the time, this injury proved to be a blessing because it sent him back home to the States. When he returned, he had one mission, which was to win Linda back and make her his wife. They were married on June 27th, 1969, and had two sons, Ryan and Neil.
When Neil was 2 ½, he lost his eyesight in an accident, which changed the family forever. Larry always said, “You have two choices: one, you can give up; or two, power forward and make the best of it." Larry always had a fighting spirit, and he lived life with a motto of, “It’s not what happens to you that’s important, but rather what you choose to do with the situation you’re given in life." His teaching guided his children and family on the path that made them who they are today.
Larry spent the majority of his career in the transportation industry, where he touched the lives of many people and made great lifelong friends. His favorite pastimes included hot rods and car shows, riding Harleys and hunting. There was never a shortage of words from him if you had the same interests or started a conversation about these hobbies. Larry had a “larger than life” attitude; he loved deeply and was very passionate about his beliefs (and wasn’t afraid to let you know about them). He was the kindest and most generous man who would give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need. You always felt better about yourself after leaving an encounter with Larry. He loved watching his son's activities as they went through school and was so proud to see them grow up, get married, and start their families.
Larry suffered immeasurable tragedy when he lost the love of his life, Linda, in a car accident on February 11, 2005. He could have given up, but instead, he chose to move forward spending time with his family and friends and watching his grandkids grow up. The pride and joy in his life was helping to raise his five grandchildren. His oldest and only granddaughter, Emilie, was the apple of his eye. His four grandsons, Cole, Grant, Sam, and Max, each had their own special place in Larry’s heart. It’s very apparent that they all portray some of their grandpa’s most enduring qualities. Being a grandpa didn’t stop with his five grandchildren…any kid who knew Larry knew him as “Grandpa Larry”. There was never a youngster around whom he didn’t love to tease, help care for, love and mentor. He absolutely loved watching the boys succeed in school and sports, and he was bursting with pride when his granddaughter became a nurse. Larry was truly one of a kind, and if there are any lessons to take away from knowing him (since life lessons were his specialty), it is this: First, love with all your heart, and don’t be afraid to let people know. Second, always be grateful for what you have. Through all his life trials and hardships, he always proclaimed how lucky and blessed he was. And finally, his #1 rule in life, “You will reap what you sow.”
Dad & Grandpa - Ride free and dance for eternity with Mom. You taught us well, and we will strive to always make you proud….. until we meet again!
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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Advice that is still helping me to this day from Larry
He would always tell me, “If you hang around shit you start to smell like it.” Hearing this made a game changer of who I would hang out to this day I still can hear him saying it to me. And this is making me make good choices about who I hang around. So take his advice you don’t want to smell like shit!
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