Larry Towe Obituary

Larry James Towe passed away peacefully at home in Norman, OK on July 6, 2025, just a few hours after celebrating his birthday early with family members at his favorite restaurant, Cattlemen's. He was apparently uninterested in having a birthday the next day, so he had his birthday steak and apple pie and then contentedly left us.
Larry was born in Oklahoma City to parents Bob and Virginia Towe, joining sister Jeneece. Larry graduated Northwest Classen High School as part of the class of 1975. He attended the University of Oklahoma and served as the football equipment manager for the 1976 and 1977 football teams. Larry worked for TISCO and then for Fred Jones Manufacturing before retirement.
Larry was always quick to laugh, and enjoyed spending time with loved ones through many different hobbies. The Towe family spent countless summer weekends with Joe and JoLou Tyson at the Little Red House in Little City, OK, and Jeneece and Larry became lifelong friends with the Tyson daughters, Jamie and Jerri. The lake always remained a significant place to Larry, and in his young adult years, he could be found looking very cool in his red speed boat or palling around with his best dog Smoky.
Larry also loved to bowl and was in numerous bowling leagues over the years, achieving a perfect score of 300 on two occasions. He also enjoyed numerous rounds of golf with friends and family, often with his nephew Steve. Larry, like many Towes, was an avid gambler. Blackjack was his favorite game, but of course he would never turn down a game of poker or craps, especially at the family reunion. He also spent many nights playing card games, including Tripoley with his parents and family, including JoAn and Dean Whisler. Larry was also an active member of the Southwest Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club, honoring the legacy of his dad, Bob Towe.
OU football was a core principle growing up in the Towe home, and like his parents, Larry could never leave a game until the very end. It was perhaps no coincidence that he could be found wearing red more often than not. Larry was pretty much a fan of any sporting event near him or on TV. He felt an incredible sense of pride watching the Oklahoma City Thunder win the championship this year.
Tammy was the love of Larry's life. They married in 2005 and had many great adventures together, including multiple trips to Vegas and a wonderful cruise in Alaska. They shared and cared for their three boys, plus a few dogs and many cats.
So many people were so incredibly lucky to be able to know and love Larry. We are so grateful for all who shared time, laughs, games, lake water and love with Larry.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Virginia Towe, sons Bradley and Barry Hellams, nephew-in-law Derick DeSelms, and brother-in-law Don Lake. He is survived by wife Tammy Towe (Lynn), son Richard Hellams and wife Layla, granddaughters Nicole and Evangeline Hellams, sister Jeneece Lake, brother and sister-in-law David and Saundra DeSelms, parents-in-law Melvin and Barbara Lynn, and nieces and nephew Jessica Sodeman, Jamie Lake, and Steve Lake.