Obituary for Stephen Larimer

Ponca City Now - November 30, 2022 8:16 pm

Stephen Larimer

February 22, 1939 – November 28, 2022

Stephen Darrell Larimer, 83, of Ponca City, OK, left this life on November 28, 2022, in Oklahoma City, OK. Steve was born on February 22, 1939, in Ponca City, OK, to Jeff and Nadine (Reedy) Larimer. He attended Ponca City Public Schools. He loved playing football, basketball and baseball as a kid but he really loved tennis. Under the influence of Wally Smith, Steve started playing tennis in the 7th grade. After graduating in 1957, he went to Commerce, TX, where he had earned a scholarship to play tennis at East Texas State. His senior year was his best season, attaining an 18-10 record, beating the Big 8 champion from the University of Colorado.

Steve married Ginger Gough in 1959. They raised their kids, Stephanie, Brad and Mike, in Ponca City. Steve taught math for 35 years at East Junior High in Ponca City and coached football, basketball and tennis for 44 years. He became affectionately and widely known as “Big Daddy.” In 1979, he became the head boys tennis coach at Ponca City High School. He was named OCA Coach of the Year in 1987-1988, the OTCA boys coach of the year in 2000-2001, and East All-State Coach 1991. He was inducted into the OTCA Hall of Fame in February of 2016.

Steve is survived by: daughter, Stephanie Larimer, of Stillwater, OK; sons, Brad Larimer and his wife, Chris, of Ponca City, OK, and Mike Larimer and his wife, Cyndi, of Claremore, OK; Grandchildren: Terrance Larimer and his wife, Sarah, of Stillwater, OK; Ashley Putnam and her husband, Josh, of Birmingham, AL; Krystle Dick and her husband, Brian, of Oklahoma City, OK; Stacie Hobbs and fiance Brandon Box, of Piedmont, OK; Matthew Larimer and his wife, Nicole, of Ponca City, OK; Matt Root and his wife, Gloria, of Yukon, OK; Jeffrey Larimer and his wife, Ashley, of Ponca City, OK; and Sam Larimer, of Claremore, OK; 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Billie DeBoard and her husband, Lennie, of Blackwell, OK; and brother-in-law, Bobby Chambers of Spokane, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginger, and his parents, Jeff and Nadine Larimer, of Ponca City, OK.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Larimer, Terrance Larimer, Jeffrey Larimer, Sam Larimer, Kaicen Larimer, Tristen Larimer, Matt Root and Brian Dick.

Viewing will be Friday, December 2, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will receive friends between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Friday, December 2, 2022. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the First Baptist Church, with Reverend Michael Taylor officiating. Please dress casual, in Wildcat game gear or red and blue. Burial will immediately follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Serve and Volley Club, Ponca City Schools, 613 East Grand, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home