September 17, 1934 — September 17, 2024
A Celebration of Life Service for Larry Carl Zerger, age 90, of Enid, will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Enid First Assembly Church with Pastor Brock Carlile officiating. The United States Army Honor Guard will provide military honors, and the Enid Fire Department will provide Firefighters Honors. Arrangements and Cremation are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Larry was born September 17, 1934 in Hennessey, OK to Carl and Gail (Miller) Zerger, and passed away on his birthday, September 17, 2024, at his home. He was the oldest of four children, Larry, Marilyn, Sybil, and Mark. Larry attended a one-room country grade school thru the 8th grade. He graduated from Lacy High School in 1951. After graduation, Larry worked in farming, as well as sales for BF Goodrich Tire Company. Larry was drafted into the U. S. Army on January 7, 1955, and served in Korea until being honorably discharged on September 29, 1956. He continued his tire sales until 1961. He married Joan States on November 23, 1957, in Enid. Steve was born in 1958, and brother Scott followed in 1963. In 1961, Larry joined the Enid Fire Department and worked 22 years in fire suppression and inspection before retiring in 1983. During his fire department years, Larry worked on his days off at various jobs as a truck driver, cream buyer for Peerless Ice Cream Co, construction, painting, and together, he and Joan owned and operated J and L Greenhouse. While on the fire department, he taught many fire safety classes to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Larry loved sports and the OU Sooners. He especially loved baseball, playing in high school, and coaching little league. In 1983, he was hired by NODA and the Oklahoma Forestry Division to administer the Rural Fire Defense Program for North Central Oklahoma. He worked in that profession for 22 years, retiring in 2004. He was recognized and honored by the Oklahoma House and Senate for his achievements on April 14, 2004. After retirement, he took part in a lifetime opportunity by going to China and teaching conversational English to ninth-grade Chinese students and their teachers. It was an everlasting experience to treasure and add to a wonderful life.
Larry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan; two sons, Steve and Scott Zerger, both of Enid; two grandchildren, Lindie and Matthew Zerger, of Oklahoma City; his siblings, Marilyn Reinhardt, of Tulsa; Sybil Bowles, of Enid; Mark Zerger, of Biloxi, Mississippi; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. His parents, Carl and Gail Zerger, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions in Larry’s name may be made to Enid First Assembly Church or the Chisholm Trail Cowboy Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
