Larry Coleman Wadle

Larry Coleman Wadle, 89, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather died on October 28, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Larry was born in Mexia, Texas on March 26, 1935 to Lawrence C. Wadle and Bernice (Azbell) Wadle. While attending Mexia High School, he was in the band; on the football, tennis, and track teams; and President of the Junior Class and Senior Student Body. Larry graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where he earned a BA in Math with minors in Astrophysics and Physics in 1958 at age 23. On June 3, 1955 he married Bessie Fay Lively and remained her husband for 62 years until her death. Bessie and Larry were high school sweethearts for several years prior to marriage. They both worked while Larry finished his junior and senior years at The University of Texas. Their first child, Lanny, was born in August 1957 as he finished college. After college, they moved to Santa Monica, CA where he worked as a Computer Engineer at Douglas Missiles and Space in Los Angeles. After only six months in California, he was hired as a Programmer and Mathematician by the Shell Oil company in Houston. He had three daughters, Sherry was born in Mexia, Texas in January 1959; Michelle in June 1960 and Kelly in August 1961, both in Houston. After eight years in Houston, they were transferred to New Jersey where he worked in New York City as a Systems Analyst and Manager for three years and then transferred back to Houston. In 1980, they were transferred to London, England where he worked for Shell United Kingdom as a Senior Manager for three years and, again back to the Houston/Katy area until now. Larry retired from Shell Oil in 1987 at age 52. Family, traveling and astronomy were his passions and he was able to accomplish them at the same time. Larry was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1980, he joined the British Astronomical Association in 1980, and served on the Board of Visitors of The University of Texas’ Astronomy Department and McDonald Observatory for five years.

 Larry and his whole family traveled in 48 states and he and Bessie also visited 80 countries and all seven continents. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Bessie, parents, Lawrence C. Wadle and Bernice (Azbell) Wadle, sister Delores Ouellette, sons-in-law, Patrick H. Parsons and Kenneth Ray Evans Jr., and granddaughter Maura Wadle. He is survived by his son Lanny and wife Jaye Jaye; daughter Sherry Parsons; daughter Michelle Evans; and Kelly Davis and husband Bob; seven grandchildren, Crystal Monk and great granddaughters Eve and Elly; Lawrence C. Wadle II and wife Erin; Kenny Evans and wife Sally, great granddaughters Kate and Jane and great grandson Kenneth; John Wadle; Maureen Wirtz and husband Andrew; Payton Parsons and wife Amber and great granddaughter Blakely; and Paul Parsons and wife Elly and great grandson Kennedy and one on the way, Kylee Reign Parsons. He has several nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts. Larry had three goals in life: to honor and cherish his wife; to love and provide for his family in any way possible; and to love and raise his children. Although ill for the last few years, he hid it from view as best he could. He is now pain free and in the hands of the Lord and reunited with his beloved wife, Bessie. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11 am at the First Baptist Church, 500 E. Carthage Street, Mexia, TX 76667. Pallbearers will be grandsons L.C. Wadle, Kenny Evans, Payton Parsons, and Paul Parsons and great nephews Travis & Trevor McDermott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210-4464.

Visitation Details Friday, November 1, 2024, 10:00am - 11:00am, First Baptist Church-Mexia

Service Information Friday, November 1, 2024, 11:00am, First Baptist Church-Mexia