LUBENOW, Larry Ray

Larry Ray Lubenow, 77, of Cedar Park Texas passed away on Thursday May 8th 2014 after a long and courageous battle. Born in Edinburgh, ND to Alfred and Helen Lubenow, he loved fishing, baseball, family, and the New York Yankees. He attended the University of North Dakota as a journalism major.

Larry joined the US Army serving in Korea, Okinawa, and two tours in Vietnam where he received a Bronze Star. After 10 years of service, he left to pursue his love of public relations and joined a large NY PR firm and provided services for many large clients. In 1985 Larry moved to Austin and later formed his own company.

While serving on Okinawa, he met Vivian Greenhalgh, and they were happily married for over 50 years. He was blessed with 3 children and 6 wonderful grandchildren, the joy of his life. He loved to travel, loved his Yankees, and really loved his Longhorns. He could always be seen in burnt orange. Most of all, Larry loved people. He never met a stranger - just a friend he hadn't met yet. Sunday mornings he would hold court at church, greeting friends and strangers with his ever ready "Hook 'Em."

He is survived by his wife Vivian who has lost her best friend of 50 years; children John (Gloria), Julie (Jim), and Jimm; grandchildren Morgan, Kathryn, Mara (Ryan), Mason, Maggie, and Braxton; and his dear dog Lady.

The funeral will be held Friday May 16th at 1:30 pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mobile Loaves and Fishes or the Red Cloud Indian School of Pine Ridge ND. Larry will be cremated and his ashes will reside in the St Thomas More columbarium.

To share condolences with Larry's family please visit our website at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from May 15 to May 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry LUBENOW

Sponsored by Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home.

24 Entries

April 6, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He and I met in October of 1997 while doing work for Mel Fisher. He was a class act.
Tom Williams
Lacey's Spring, Al.

Judy Olsen Ryan

June 2, 2014

I met Larry at a Press convention in Bismark, ND many years ago. He and his brother, Wayne, were always 2 of my favorite people. I am so sorry for your loss.

Carol Kiekbush

May 18, 2014

Vivian I am so sorry to read about Larry's passing.
God Bless You .
Carol Kiekbush

Frances Nesbitt

May 16, 2014

Beyond the sadness of saying goodbye, is the peace of knowing you are connected forever.

I am so sorry for your loss.

David Ostwald

May 15, 2014

For sure, none of you know me, so please pardon the intrusion on this sad occasion. My name is David Ostwald, and I am a jazz musician in New York and also chairman of the board of the Louis Armstrong House Museum. I feel compelled to say to Larry's family and friends that one of the greatest thrills of my life was meeting Larry. For decades, we Armstrong worshipers had heard about the unnamed kid - unnamed because the story went out on the AP wire without a byline - who went to interview Louis in his Grand Forks hotel room in September 1957, and who broke the story of Louis speaking out against the racial insanity of Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus and the initial cowardice of President Eisenhower in taking action. We always believed that it was Armstrong's speaking out - a total surprise to mainstream America, as Louis had stayed away from politics - that shamed the President of the United States into doing the right thing by sending 1200 Federal troops to Arkansas to break open the doors for those nine black children. Think about it. Louis was a superstar, and his unexpected words rocked the nation.
Until David Margolick tracked him down in 2007, we had thought the kid went to Armstrong's hotel room to do a puff piece, where he encountered Louis furiously cursing at television images, and simply reported what words he could catch. David's piece in the NY Times (the link is in the obituary ) tells the real story: that Larry somehow sensed that Louis was ready to explode about Little Rock, and that getting him to say it for the record was tremendously important. Defying his editor's orders, Larry snuck in to Louis's hotel room with a bellboy friend of his, and got Louis to talk. He was the instigator, not the wide-eyed boy who just stumbled into history. We learned that there were two heroes in this story.
Shortly after David's initial phone call with Larry, he called me and said he'd found the kid. My entire body welled up. I couldn't believe it. To prove it, David patched Larry in on the call and I heard the story the way it really happened. Nothing like a primary source! A few weeks later, Larry came to New York for a public interview with David, and I got to hang out with him. I experienced first-hand the charm and sensitivity of this man who read Louis so well, and whose courage and determination , in my opinion, changed the course of the civil rights movement.
Larry's service to our country is inspirational, not only through the personal sacrifices he made in the military, but in his dedication to social justice. He was a true patriot.
To paraphrase Kevin Matze's condolence: God Speed good traveler, your deeds here on Earth shall continue to bear fruit and light the dark path.

Douglas Kuenstler

May 15, 2014

Julie - so sorry to hear of the death of your father. I knew Larry from some networking groups and through St. Thomas More Parish. Always a pleasure to talk to! Please know that you and Larry are in my prayers.

Kirk Smith

May 15, 2014

Larry Lubenow. What a guy!
We met in the 1950s as members of Delta Nu Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. From the time I met him he became a part of my life. I admired him greatly for his wit and his intelligence and for his persistence and extraordinary ability to relate warmly to people. He had an infectious smile and was a loyal friend, not only to me but also to many other people. Our friendship continued beyond my marriage to Joan and Larry's marriage to Vivian. We were privileged to visit them and thier family on our occasional visits to Texas and on their visits to North Dakota. Larry never lost sight of his wholesome honesty and other solid values. He will always remain an inspiration to me.

Dennis Kilduff

May 15, 2014

Viv and family

Sorry for your loss .Carol and I have been remembering all the good times we had together.

Kevin Matze

May 15, 2014

While I just had the pleasure of talking to Larry by phone and through E-mails recently, I could feel his love of life in our interactions. God Speed good traveler, may your deeds here on Earth continue to bear fruit and light the dark path.

Cheryl, "Max" Maxwell

May 14, 2014

I am so grateful to have known Larry. His Spirit was larger than life. He had such a gift of making everyone feel like family. He was a very kind and faithful soul. Thanks Larry for being such a beautiful reflection of God's Love.

Gary Wells

May 14, 2014

Larry was not only legendary in public relations, he was legendary to me and others who learned at his feet. He did it all. He saw it all. And he had the most marvelous stories to tell. An evening spent with Larry was more entertaining than Broadway, more educational than Harvard and more fun than any one person had a right to have. Larry was one of my favorite people in all the world. And he was simply, the best.

Charles Jensvold

May 14, 2014

Thank You Larry for the reporting of Louis Armstrong that revealed the side of Louis Armstrong that has inspired millions throughout the years, mine being one of them. "When will that Great Day Come, When Everyone is One?" Robala ka Kagiso (Setswana for Sleep in Peace)

Charles ( and Gothe) Jensvold, Detroit Lakes, MN

May 14, 2014

Vivian, in all the years that I worked with Larry and knew him as a friend, I don't recall a single day when he wasn't smiling. I'll bet he's still smiling. Our condolences to you and all of the family.

George Ledwith, Madison, CT

Julie Dunlap

May 14, 2014

Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, love leaves a memory that no one can steal! I love you dad to the moon and back and always will.
Your favorite daughter

Jeff Thompson

May 13, 2014

Despite having not been with him in so many yers...all of us from Carl Byoir & Associates in NYC...and I as a UT "Longhorn" grad, know we've all lost a great colleague, a loyal orange wearing fan and a wonderful family man. Wishing peace and comfort to your family. "Hook 'em" Larry. You did it well.

Jim Caudill

May 13, 2014

I enjoyed every minute I spent with Larry during our time together at Carl Byoir & Associates. He helped define the phrase "one of a kind"

Bruce Hicks

May 13, 2014

I had the distinct honor and pleasure to know Larry well back in the 70s when I was lucky enough to work for him on the Kansas City account. I can't express adequately what he meant to me and what a huge impact he had on my life and career. He was an amazing teacher, a mentor who shaped my career in such a relatively short time. I am just one of the very many who had the opportunity to work with Larry, to get to know him and to love him.

Gene Vasconi

May 13, 2014

Vivian, we have both lost someone very special. Larry and I spent many hours "discussing" everything. Even in the most intense moments of discussion, I always considered him a dear friend. Pam and I will never forget him..or you.
Gene and Pam Vasconi

May 13, 2014

Vivian, John and family, you all have my deepest sympathy. May God grant you peace and comfort. Marie Davis

Tweed Scott

May 13, 2014

The world lost a great man, a Patriot & a true gentleman. A family lost a great husband and father & grandfather. many of us lost a great friend. I loved Larry for the true friend he was. We had some great conversations on a wide range of topics but it always came back to the Yankees or the Longhorns. Neither team could ask for a better fan. I am proud to know him and blessed to be able to call him my friend. Viv, Julie & Jim, Jimm & John, please, accept my humble prayers for all of you.

Jim Dunlap

May 12, 2014

I cannot put into words how much your grace and your friendship have meant to me. The way you welcomed me into your family, and the wonderful daugHter and grand kids that I will do my best to love and protect them as you have done for so long. Rest easy my friend, your final deadline has passed, and we are all better people for having known you

Sally Whitehouse

May 12, 2014

I never met your dad, John, but he sounds like a wonderful man. I know he and your mom raised you well...with those same great values. Thinking of you and the whole family at this sad time, and wishing you peace.

Elena Brown

May 12, 2014

What a brave and wonderful man your dad was, Julie. He will live in your heart forever until the day you are reunited in heaven. God bless you and your family during this period of grief. I pray you will all be encouraged by the great memories and the support of your friends and family.

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