Larry Barbee was born on August 25, 1946 in Houston, Texas, the only child of Velmer Barbee and Helen (Ritter) Barbee. During elementary school, Larry and his family moved to Garland, Texas where he would spend most of his life.

After graduating from Garland High School, Larry attended Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the corps. Although his time there was interrupted by his service as a US Navy reservist, any alumni of the school will tell you, there is no such thing as a former Aggie. On any given Saturday in every Fall thereafter, Larry could be heard loudly "coaching" the Aggie football team through the TV.

When Larry returned to the Dallas area following his Naval service, he met Lynn Blaska on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. She was taken by his good looks, but was ultimately sold when he endearingly introduced her to a litter of stray kittens a first glimpse at his notoriously soft heart for stray animals. Lynn and Larry married on December 31, 1970 and threw a legendary reception that attendees still talk about to this day.

Also in 1970, just prior to marrying Lynn, Larry joined the Dallas Police Department and later completed his degree in Criminal Justice at Abilene Christian College. Larry spent the majority of his 22-year career as a Dallas policeman working deep nights, and strived to make a positive impact on the local communities. He also worked tirelessly as a board member of the Dallas Police Association from the early- to mid-1980s under the presidency of his friend and colleague Dicky Hickman to ensure the safety and working conditions of his fellow officers. Larry could also often be found at his kitchen table studiously writing articles for the Dallas Police Association newsletter, "The Shield."

During this time, Larry was a beloved member of his local Garland community. His career as a police officer in combination with his approachably friendly disposition made him a favorite of his neighbors, and a go-to for advice.

Also, in addition to coaching some of his son Danny's early little league teams, Larry became a board member of the Northwest Garland Little League. On his days off work, you could often find him enjoying some moments of his own brand of quiet, voluntarily mowing and maintaining the infields at the league's park.

After retiring from the Dallas Police Department as a patrol sergeant in 1992, Larry spent the remainder of his career working in security, first as the head of security for the DFW airport expansion and then at Lone Star Park, where he enjoyed being near the horse races, and where he taught his kids the finer points of boxing trifectas and betting wheels.

Larry was a lifelong fisherman and boat owner. His kids fondly remember countless weekends on their dad's boat, catching the breeze on area lakes, while waiting for dinner to start biting. Dr. Peppers for the kids and Keystone Light for Larry chilling in the cooler, sometimes next to the catch of the day.

After Lynn retired in 2014, Larry's dream of living on the Gulf became a reality and the two moved to Surfside Beach, TX. Although Larry's health kept him from fishing the waters as often as he would have liked, he enjoyed his final years there taking in the beautiful Gulf sunsets and watching the boats and active bird life right outside their home.

Larry is survived by his wife Lynn, daughter Jennifer, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Leah, and grandsons Matthew, Andrew and Grady. We will remember Larry at his happiest his hand on his boat's wheel, hat turned backwards in the wind, sun on the water, his loving family sitting behind him, and a cooler full of bass.

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