Larry Wray Hart, 80, of Kingfisher, passed away peacefully on Aug. 21, 2026, surrounded by his family in love and prayer. Larry was born June 13, 1946, in Abilene, Texas, to Wray Willard Hart and Billie Sue Collins Hart. He grew up in Eunice, N.M., where he graduated from high school in 1964. A gifted athlete, Larry played baseball and football, helping his teams win multiple state championships and earning All-State football honors. After high school, Larry attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, on a baseball scholarship before earning his bachelor of science in education from Eastern New Mexico University.

Larry met his high school sweetheart, Dena Carol Key, and they married in 1966. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, education and athletics and their son, Mick, and their daughter, Michele.

Larry was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on June 18, 1969, and proudly served his country before returning to teaching and coaching.

He taught and coached in Texaco and Lovington, N.M., and Guymon before spending more than 30 years at Kingfisher High School.

To generations of students and athletes, Larry was a teacher, coach, mentor and friend. He was famous for telling his athletes to “rub some dirt on it.”

Larry loved music and played the piano throughout his life. He enjoyed old Western movies and cowboy music, especially John Wayne and Hank Williams.

He rarely missed a Dallas Cowboys game and loved baseball, basketball, hunting and especially golf. He could never get enough of it – and he was very, very good at it.

He loved animals, especially bird dogs, cats and cardinals, and found joy in simple things like a cold Coke, cutting the grass, hamburgers, Snickers, brownies and coconut cream pie.

A lifelong athlete, Larry continued to snow ski, water ski and tube well into his early 70s. He won countless golf tournaments over the years and many people might suggest that he’s played the most rounds out of anyone on Kingfisher Golf Course.

Above all, Larry was a strong Christian man who loved people and made them feel loved in return. He was an elder at Kingfi sher Church of Christ and always ready to lend an ear or helping hand. His faith and family were the foundation of his life.

Larry is survived by his wife Dena; his brother Joe and wife Olga and their family; his son Mick and wife Tina and their children Lindsey and her husband Fred, Erin and Reese; his daughter Michele and husband Ricky and their children Peyton and her husband Dakota, Trey and his wife Mikah, and Paige; Michele’s stepchildren Whitney and her husband Cale, Emily, and Tyler; and his great-grandchildren Lizzy, Marston, Emory, Anna and Macy.

Larry lived a big, vibrant and meaningful life.

He loved hard, worked hard, played hard and left a little piece of himself with everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s memory to: Westview Boys’ Home, 120 W. Broadway St., Hollis, OK,73550; Tipton Children’s Home, 1000 N. Broadway Ave., Tipton, OK 73570; High Plains Children’s Home, 11461 SW. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79118.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Kingfisher High School APB under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Sanders Funeral Service.