LARRY WAYNE BALE

Bale

Larry Wayne Bale (80) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away peacefully February 9, 2024, surrounded by his family who serenaded him home to the Lord with his favorite songs. Larry was born in Bartlesville on November 16, 1943, to John T. and Audrey (Bonham) Bale. He graduated from Dewey High School in 1961 and earned a bachelor’s in mathematics and a minor in history from Northeastern State University. Later he received his master’s from the University of Arizona.

Larry was a devoted math teacher at Caney Valley High School until retiring in 2001. Almost immediately, he accepted a position at Independence Community College, retiring once again in 2015. But Larry’s passion was for teaching, so he continued imparting knowledge by tutoring students at Wesleyan Christian School until the very end.

Besides numbers, music was an integral part of Larry’s life, playing trumpet in the marching band from junior high through college and singing tenor in the church quartet or with family. Even when traveling, the moment he returned across the Oklahoma state line it was commonplace to hear him burst into the title song from the musical “Oklahoma”. He also enjoyed gardening, running 5k races, competing in the church softball league and serving at the Dewey and Bartlesville Senior Centers. Larry truly had a servant’s heart.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters. His memory will forever live on with his wife, their three daughters and spouses, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 24th at 2:00 at the First Church of God in Dewey, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at The Lighthouse in Bartlesville.