Radio pioneer and financial advisor, Larry Corbin, passed away after a lengthy illness on June 3, 2018 with his family by his side. A private memorial celebrating his life was held on June 10, 2018.
Larry was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on December 2, 1938. He graduated from Levelland High School and after a successful high school basketball career, he continued his education at West Texas State on a basketball scholarship.
Larry married Jackie Roberts on August 17, 1958. Larry was a loving husband and adored his wife. They were a great team in their 59 years of marriage. Larry and Jackie enjoyed traveling and art collecting. He was also a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a loyal friend. He always enjoyed telling a good story.
Larry and Jackie moved to Lubbock in 1958 where Larry joined the family owned radio station KLLL-AM. He bought his family’s share of the stations and became the sole owner by 1970. When the devastating 1970 Lubbock Tornado hit, the radio station was operated on the 20th floor of the Great Plains Life building. The station was back on the air in a few days although the station had to operate out of Larry and Jackie’s home for several weeks. After the tornado, Larry changed 96.3 FM call letters to KLLL-FM and converted it to one of the first full-time country formatted FM stations in the country. KLLL-FM became the most successful FM station in Lubbock history and remains a heritage station to this day. Larry sold KLLL in the late 1970’s.
While Larry and Jerry Coleman were visiting their good friend, Waylon Jennings, the three men decided Lubbock had ignored Buddy Holly for long enough and they should honor their mutual friend. Larry paid for the start up of the now famous landmark Buddy Holly statue. With funds from Larry and Jackie and Waylon’s donated proceeds from two Lubbock concerts the statue was finished and still stands today as a memorial to Buddy Holly.
Larry, Jackie and daughter Kay moved to Alto NM, outside of Ruidoso in 1984, to run a financial advisory office. They enjoyed memorable years in the cool pines including many rounds of golf at Alto Country Club, always with a good cigar in hand. Larry was confirmed in the Episcopal Church and attended Church of the Holy Mount in Ruidoso. Larry and Jackie moved back to Lubbock in 2001 where he continued his work as a financial advisor, the last 13 years with Prospera Financial Services.
Larry was proud that both of his sons worked in the same industries he did. Ken works in advertisingbroadcasting and Larry worked with Kirk in the same financial planning office for over 20 years. Larry was also proud of his daughter Kay who is a full-time caregiver for her special needs son Holt, who has severe autism.
Larry is survived by his wife, Jackie; sons, Ken and Kirk; daughter, Kay Taylor; daughters-in-law, Donna and Rinda; son-in-law, Chase Taylor; grandchildren, Allen, Rebecca Fountain, Howard, Jack, and Holt Stevens; great-grandchildren Keller and Kamden; and other family and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by father, Howard; mother, Naomi; and brothers, Glenn and Ray.
The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers who helped Jackie care for Larry the last 3½ years.
