Larry has a long and distinguished military and Rotary career. In fact he was among the last to leave Fort Wolters when the local base was decommissioned and closed in 1972. He served 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Service Corps. His expertise was in Hospital Administration. His service rendered 16 medals including four awards of the Army Commendation Medal; one Army Achievement Medal; two awards of the National Defense Service Medal for Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm; four awards of the Reserve Components Achievement Medal; and two awards of the Army Reserve Medal, among others.
Larry joined Rotary in San Antonio, Texas, in 1978. He is Past President of the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls (2005-2006), Past Assistant Governor (2011-2012). He served as District Governor for the year 2014-2015, achieving many successes, among them, increasing per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation to over $100 per member in the Annual Program Fund and $171 per member in total Rotary Foundation Giving, which includes Polio.
Also during his year as Governor, membership in the District increased for the second straight year and continued to do so for four consecutive years. Larry is currently serving the Iowa Park Rotary Club as its Rotary Foundation and Membership Chair. He is a past District Matching Grants Subcommittee Chair and is a Texas Representative of Shelterbox USA, a Rotary partner.
At the District level, Larry serves as District 5790's Rotary Foundation Secretary and District Membership Chair. He, and his wife Paula, are Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation. Larry is also a Paul Harris Society member. Paula is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Iowa Park and is, currently, Assistant District Governor.
Larry presented a thought-provoking presentation on the importance of membership recruitment in Rotary, but more importantly on keeping the members we already have. The club will keep Larry's ideas and points in mind going forward as the club continues to see success in membership growth this year.
Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at noon at Palo Pinto General Hospital for lunch, to socialize, receive updates on club news and events and receive a program of interest.