Rev. Larry Allen Downum, pastor of the Oologah First Baptist Church, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the age of 76 years. Larry was born November 16, 1939 at Salina, OK to Lester Jefferson and Eula Esther (Strickland) Downum. He was raised and received his education there, graduating from Salina high school. He continued his education first at Northeastern A&M in Miami, OK and received his bachelor’s degree in business from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. On December 28, 1961 in the First Baptist Church of Salina, he and Cecilia Ann Hoag were united in marriage. To this union, three children were born. Following their marriage, they made their home in Salina before moving to Tulsa where he worked for Bill White Chevrolet in the parts department. It was while in Tulsa that Larry received his call to the ministry. His first pastorate was with the Mingo Baptist Church, Tulsa from 1970 to 1972; he then pastored at Cincinnati Ave. Baptist Church, Tulsa for a year before moving to Locust Grove where he pastored from 1973 to 1980. In 1980, they moved to Mannford where he pastored Mannford First Baptist and in 1985 moved to his present church – Oologah First Baptist Church. While in these locations, Larry also was a school bus driver, the sports announcer for the school’s various sporting events; also worked part-time with Mowery Funeral Service. Larry enjoyed southern gospel music and for a time had a gospel radio show through Rogers State University.
Larry is survived by his wife Ann of the home; children – Julie McCuistian and husband Bob of Claremore, Daniel Downum and fiance Marsha Whalen of Locust Grove, and Charles Downum of Claremore. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law Emily Downum of Claremore; seven grandchildren – Ryan Vincent and wife Rachel of Stillwater, OK, Rachel Vincent and fiancé Owen Howlett of New Haven, CT, C.J., Carson and Madelyn Downum all of Claremore and Jessica Downum of Oologah; also three great grandchildren – Matthew Vincent, Audrey Vincent and Nicole Downum; brother Gordon Downum of Lubbock, TX and numerous neices and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lester Jr. and Bill, and sister Doris.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM – Monday, February 22, 2016 in the sanctuary of his church – Oologah First Baptist with Pastors Sam Nichols, Weldon Foster and Jody Bentley officiating. Burial will take place at the Ross Mayes Cemetery, Salina, OK at 2:00 PM Monday afternoon. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 21st from 1pm – 6pm at Mowery Funeral Service, Owasso. The family prefers memorial donations in Larry’s memory to the Oologah First Baptist Church, 105 South Pine Street, Oologah, OK 74053. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to the Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
