Larry Dale Oxford

Larry Dale Oxford passed away at home in The Villages, Florida on Friday, June 3rd, 2022 surrounded by his wife, Susan, and daughters, Kimberly and Kari Jane, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Larry was born April 4th, 1951, the second child of Galen and Velma Oxford. Known to many as “Buntin”-a nickname given to him by his dad-his sister, Kathy, affectionately recalls that “he could do no wrong” in the eyes of their father. Larry was raised on the family farm in rural Cave- in-Rock. Breaking horses and competing in horse shows was a favorite pastime as a child. That passion for horses never left him and he eventually began racing horses as an adult. In his later years, he and Susan raised Gypsy horses on their farm in Eldorado, along with many other animals including his beloved dogs.
Larry attended Cave-In-Rock High School and later Eastern Illinois University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. For a short period of time, he worked for R&B Quarry but ultimately, established a career as a youth counselor at IYC-Harrisburg and retired from there in 2012.
The births of his daughters, Kimberly in 1976 and Kari Jane in 1981, were special highlights in his life. The arrival of his first of three grandchildren, Ella Rose, in 2011 was another such special moment. Clint and Krysty Price welcomed Larry’s second granddaughter, Lylly, in 2012 and his first grandson, Tripp, in 2017.
In March 2006, Larry married Susan Price at the White Lace Inn in Harrisburg, Ill surrounded by family and friends. They found their dream home in Eldorado in 2006 and enjoyed raising a variety of animals on their farm. Their love of horses and working the farm created a love and friendship that lasted until the last moments of his life. Susan was not only his wife, she was his partner who supported every endeavor they set out to do. Their love and friendship was palpable to everyone who ever met them. Their love of seasonal deer hunting on the Oxford Family farm was a favorite weekend retreat. They loved to travel and had many adventures in Europe and on road trips across the US. They moved in November 2021 to The Villages, Florida to spend their golden years. Here Larry enjoyed bowling, bocce balls, 9 holes of golf, movies and driving the golf cart with their five dogs in tow.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Galen; his grandparents Thaniel & Slona Oxford and Rad & Ethel Lamb; and brother-in-law James Russell. He is survived by his wife Susan Oxford; children Kimberly (Peter) Barna, Kari Jane Oxford and Clint (Krysty) Price; grandchildren Ella Barna, Lylly and Trip Price; mother Velma Oxford; sister Kathy (John) Sheridan; brother Jerry (Winnie) Oxford; and in-laws Leon and Janet Russell. A celebration of life will be held in Hardin County later this summer with a date yet to be determined.