Larry Petree

Larry Gene Petree, 71, passed away at his home in Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday, September 28, 2023. A true West Texan and uniquely authentic, Larry was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, successful businessman, and friend to many.

Larry is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Bebe” Petree, son Arthur Casey, wife Sarah, and grandson Spike of San Luis Obispo, California; daughter Taylor Anne and grandson Townes and Tim Felz of Austin; sister Pam Ware of Houston, niece Lauren Fertitta, and brother Jackie Petree and family of Lubbock; brother-in-law Rick Dykes, wife Shelley, nieces Jessica and her husband Zane Shamburger, Julianne and her husband Bobby Pondt, and nephew Dusty Dykes; brother-in-law Sonny Dykes, wife Kate, nieces Alta and Charlotte, and nephew Daniel; cousin Jim Cone, his sons Jim and Caleb, and their families; cousin Tommy Cooke and his family. He is also survived by several precious great-nieces, nephews, and godchildren, all of whom he adored. He is preceded in death by his mother Betty Lou Petree; brothers Bobby Petree and Johnny Petree; and by his in-laws William Taylor “Spike” Dykes and Sharon Dykes. He is also preceded in death by his cousin, Jane Cone, and his uncle Dick Reinhart.

Born in Idalou, Texas, on Sept. 18, 1952, Larry was the middle of five children of Betty Lou (Cone) Petree and Billie Petree. In high school, Larry played several sports as an Idalou Wildcat. He especially enjoyed football and played both sides of the ball, but excelled in track and field as a pole vaulter. Larry won the 2A State Championship in pole vault his senior year of high school. Upon graduation, he accepted a track and field scholarship to the University of Texas at El Paso when they were ranked 3rd in the country. He then went on to represent the United States against the USSR at the 1972 Junior Olympics in Sacramento. He would later transfer to the University of Texas at Austin where he completed his collegiate pole vaulting career.

Larry went from Idalou Wildcat to oil and gas wildcatter after college. He tried and made a hand in oil and gas production, drilling wells in Runnels County and across West Texas. Well known as “Mr. Green Jeans,” Larry also farmed cotton in Lubbock and Hale counties for more than 20 years.

His biggest break, and greatest pride, was meeting and marrying the love of his life and wife of 38 years, Elizabeth “Bebe” Petree. Larry and Bebe married on May 18, 1985, in Lubbock and together they built a life raising two children, Casey and Taylor.

A man of many interests, Larry enjoyed saltwater fishing with his father-in-law, brother-in-laws, and closest friends, camping and time at Possum Kingdom lake reminiscing with his oldest friends, his time at the Isom Ranch in Oklahoma, enjoying his two grandsons, Townes and Spike, who were the absolute light of his life, and following his football family all over the country. In addition, a favorite place of the family was their farmhouse in Hale County, that he built when his children were young. There they rode horses, hosted gatherings, and entertained generations of friends and family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock where he was a member. A memorial service to honor Larry’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. also at First United Methodist Church.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Isom, Jim Cone, Busty Underwood, Tommy Isbell, Sandy Utley, Rick Chambers, Fin Ewing, Kirk Gentry, and David Pickering. Larry was a special mentor and friend to his son Casey’s friends during their younger years and beyond. The family would also like to recognize them at this time: Tanner Thetford, Travis Hatch, Aaron Thomas, Evan Ketabchi, Ryan Reber, Clay Pickering, Rebel Blackwell, Chase Gentry, and Brandon Snyder.

Larry will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lubbock Young Life (3202 34th Street Lubbock, TX 79410, https://tx34.younglife.events/lbkylpetree).

The family takes great comfort in the knowledge and the promise that even the most ornery believers get to go heaven.

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