He grew up and graduated high school from Edinburg, Mississippi Class of 1964. At the age of 17 he became a carpenter in Jackson, Mississippi and later worked in the shipyard in West Wego, Louisiana.
In 1965 he applied to enlist in the United States Air Force but he did not meet the physical requirements due to a knee injury. He would go on to enlist in the United States Army on April 18, 1966 where he would later be enrolled in the special forces.
He was united in marriage to Ann Dye on July 2, 1977 in Jackson, Mississippi. They would make their home in Pearl, Mississippi before moving to Brandon, Mississippi, Topeka, Kansas City and Harrisonville before moving to Edwards, Missouri in 2002. While in Edwards Larry and Ann served on the Deer Creek Fire Department for 7 years from 2007 to 2014. They would move to their home in Clinton in 2016.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Gayla, one son, Larry W. Burkes II and his beloved dog Buddy.
He is survived by his wife Ann, of the home, two sons, Terry Burkes (Dawn), of Clinton and Carl Burkes (Shannon), of Adrain, one daughter, Melissa Burkes, of Brandon, Mississippi, two step children, Ellisa Clements, of Arkansas and James Tony Mason, of Mississippi, 6 grandchildren, Krasannah (Derek), Jennifer, Justin, Kevin, Braden and Bryant, 4 step grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, Selena, Rhett, Reece, Ryker and Aurora, two sisters, Freda Hughes and Threda Moore, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Military Honors will be held at a later date.
