Larry John Magerkurth

Larry John Magerkurth, 85, residing in Indian Wells California passed away on December 13, 2022, after a heroic twenty plus year battle with Prostate Cancer. He was a good and faithful Christian man. Larry chose to honor God by making the most of each day in service to his family, community and country. He knew that throughout life's struggles God's path would reveal itself in the most marvelous ways and in God's time. Larry believed in following your dreams and believing in others in order to make the world a better place. He was best known for his laughter, friendship, and kindness to strangers.
Larry was born in 1937 in Bartlesville, OK and resided in Stillwater, OK, St. Charles, MO, Huntington Beach, CA, and Indian Wells, CA. He graduated Bartlesville College High School, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Oklahoma State University (B.S. in Engineering), and University of Southern California (MBA). Larry served his country in the U.S. Navy Reserves, and throughout his extraordinary career in aerospace with McDonnell Douglas Corporation (MDC). He worked with NASA on the early space programs and with the original astronauts; and for MDC on the F4, F15, F18, AV8B, C17, MD90, the simulation and training programs, President of MDC Training Systems and Services, and retired as a Senior Director at MDC. After retirement from MDC Larry held positions as Vice President of Dowty Aerospace, Program Manager for Lockheed Martin Aerospace, Regional Marketing Director for British Aerospace, and President of Magerkurth Consulting Services. Larry was active in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Air Transport Association; Navy League; Gathering of Eagles; and U.S. Air Force Air Lifters. He had technical association with the U.K. Royal Aeronautical Society and as technical advisor to the U.K. Royal Air Force. His community service includes: British American Business Council of Los Angeles, Early American Industry Association, American Legion, Jaycee's International, Kiwanis Club, Elks Club, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, St. Charles Missouri Chairman of Strategic Planning Committee, St. Charles Police and Fire Commissioner, Member of St. Charles Country Club, Board Member of Long Beach Yacht Club, Member of Indian Wells Country Club, Commander of Knights Templar SMOTJ, Member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Oklahoma Ambassador, President of the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), National Board of the SAR Foundation, President General of the National Society of SAR.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Barbara; his daughters Sandra (Robert) McDermott Hale and Lorana (Douglas) Enroth; his grandchildren Victoria and Charles McDermott Hale, and Andrew, Matthew and Thomas Enroth; his siblings Sally Curry, Charolette Hawkins, and Paul Magerkurth; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00am at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, 47-321 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260. In lieu of flowers please donate in Memory of Larry Magerkurth to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center https://giveto.usc.edu/Donation or SAR Education Center & Museum https://www.sarfoundation.org/ Please contact his daughters: Sandy (206) 271-9781, semh@comcast.net, or Lori (760) 485-7087, miraclebaby99@aol.com with any condolences they can share with the family.