Larry Eugene Workman

March 29, 1947 - May 21, 2016

Thomas Edison once observed, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Industrious and caring, Larry Workman couldn't have chosen a more appropriate last name for himself. A beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he died Saturday, May 21, 2016, at age 69.

Born on March 29, 1947, Larry was welcomed by parents Oliver Owen Workman (a carpenter) and Vera Mae Anthony (a housewife) in San Angelo, TX. He grew up in the West Texas (oil-producing) town of Seminole, along with his brother and three sisters: Jimmy C. Workman, Barbara Villalobos, Patricia Workman and Pamela Dickson. As a youth, Larry developed a lifelong love of sports, especially football, which he played at Seminole High School. Sadly, his career as a player ended at age 17, when circumstances demanded that Larry leave school early to find work after the death of his mother; he later obtained his GED.

Larry spent most of his professional career working as a "tool pusher" for C&J Services, an oilfield equipment supplier. He absolutely loved his work and was proud to support his family through his status as a roughneck. Along the way, Larry met Linda Sue Workman and the two were married. Their surviving children are Kathleen Spain, Johnnie Cranford and Gregory Workman; they are also the parents of Robert Owen Workman, who passed away in 1979 at age nine. When his marriage to Linda subsequently ended in divorce, Larry worked even harder-if that were possible-to ensure the security of his family and believed that "you should work for what you want. Nothing comes easy, and you shouldn't expect it to."

In his time away from the oilfield, Larry enjoyed woodworking and carpentry-learned from his father-as well as keeping his immaculate yard. He was a believing Baptist and a true craftsman who could construct or repair anything. He loved bowling, baseball, volleyball, fishing, waterskiing and camping; he even found time to travel a little-to Colorado for Christmas, to Carlsbad, New Mexico (for the Fourth of July) and to Hawaii. He was an enthusiastic Dallas Cowboys and TAMU Aggies fan, and in addition, he played a good game of golf. Larry loved the music of Vince Gill, Reba McEntire and of course, Elvis Presley, and he was a great dancer (he loved to two-step). He also had a fondness for both model cars and race cars, but most of all, he loved cherished his family as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Larry also enjoyed spending time with his oilfield friends, including Eddie Embra, Jerry Legard and Jim Southerland, Larry's boss. He also made sure that each of his oilfield hands were taken care of, coming up with a colorful nickname for every single one.

Larry's surviving family members include his brother Jimmy Workman and sister Pamela Dickson, his daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Freddie Spain, his son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Chelsea Workman, and his son Johnnie Cranford, in addition to Linda Sue Workman, the mother of Larry's children. His grandchildren include Chelsia (and husband Jeremy) Elmore and Brittany Cranford, as well as his great-grandson, Ethan Elmore. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Barbara and Patricia, and his son Robert. He will be missed by a great many roughneck brothers and oilfield associates.

The Life Celebration of Larry Workman will begin with Visitation hours at Hillier Funeral Home (in Bryan) on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, from 5-7pm. Services will continue at the Hillier Chapel in Bryan on Thursday, May 26th at 2pm.

Log on to www.hillierfuneralhome.com to learn more and leave condolences.