Major Larry Allen Backus

LARRY ALLEN BACKUS "One Nation Under God" 1941 to 2018 Larry was a humble man. At his core, he loved Jesus first, and then his family and his country. Larry was a born-again Christian in his fifties and was passionate about leading others to Christ. A member of First Baptist of Round Rock, Larry was a two-legged men's ministry. Men were drawn to him, and they didn't even know why. And Larry would talk to them about Jesus. And they would see Jesus through him. And Larry would give them a "Backus Hug" filled with Jesus' love. Kelli Backus, wife, and soul mate for life, describes Larry as "the man of her dreams" and a true gift from God. "We lived our life like he deploys tomorrow, truly appreciating every moment together." Larry was born in Elgin, IL, to Paul Louis Backus and Helen Mary Toth, in 1941. He married Kelli Backus on December 14th, 2013, in Cedar Park, Texas. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Larry took his commissions in the Marine Corp, and served in Vietnam and South Korea. Larry had a Masters Degree in Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Notable Decorations Include: Bronze Star, Mission Valor (Air Medal), Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with Star, Vietnamese Technical Service Medal. Larry is preceded in death by his mother and father, and Terry Backus, his brother. Larry is survived by his wife Kelli Backus, his son Paul Backus, and wife Kimberly, their children Payton and Madeleine; Larry's daughter Rebecca Tversky, her husband Jeff (a Marine), their children Morgan and Nicholas; his daughters Charlotte Backus and Shannon Andersen, and Shannon's children, Brody, Dylan, and Pierce. He is survived by his step-children, son, Collin Strickland and wife Ashlee Strickland, daughter, Bryce Strickland and her husband Al Van Ert. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, October 6th, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Round Rock with Pastor Jared Allen, officiating.