Larry was born July 6, 1936, in Rapatee, to Steve and Nora (Lenzi) Wilcoxen. He married Judith Ann Tuttle on Aug. 9, 1957, in Farmington.
Larry graduated from Farmington High School, and Knox College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a Master of Arts degree from Bradley University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Western Illinois University.
Larry enjoyed his chosen field of education as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, starting his career in Bradford, and then moving up the road to Deer Grove and then Tampico. He also coached the scholastic bowl team. After his retirement, he spent time as an interim superintendent for Tiskilwa, Neponset, Ohio, and Malden.
He was a member of Walnut United Methodist Church, where he taught adult Sunday school for several years. He was president of the Walnut Park District since its start in 1973, and an inductee of the Walnut Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. He spent 25 years on the Illinois Elementary School Association Board, and was a two-term member of the Bureau Valley school board. He was a member of the Rock River Officials Association, and spent several years as assignment chairman for the Indian Valley Conference.
Larry was an IHSA official for 55 years, and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Bureau County Hall of Fame, National High School Sports Hall of Fame, Illinois Coaches Association Softball Hall of Fame, and he received the National Federation of Interscholastic fficials Association Distinguished Service Award.
He was fortunate enough to work the state playoffs in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball, and softball. He was always proud to let people know he had worked 6,743 contests.
Larry was a diehard Cubs fan, and enjoyed going to Chicago with any family members or friends he could get to go along with him.
Surviving are their children, Ken (Sally) Wilcoxen of Princeton, and Mendy (Steve) Conner of Ohio; four grandchildren, Kris (Sarah) Wilcoxen of Walnut, Anna Wilcoxen, Johnna Jacobson, and Lindsay Jacobson; a great-grandson, Ethan Turpen; three brothers, Dan (Leann) Wilcoxen of Peru, Terry Wilcoxen of Laura, and Tom (Tammy) Mattson of Farmington; sisters, Lynn (Mark) Voland of Farmington, Debby (Jeff), and sister-in-law, Patti Wilcoxen; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Steve; a sister, Mary Jean; and sister-in-law, Mona.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, at Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Harkness of Walnut United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Cemetery.
Memorials are to Walnut Park District, Heritage Health in Walnut, Tampico Historical Museum, or Walnut United Methodist Church.