Larry R. Derryberry (April 22, 1939 – November 19, 2016) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma from 1971 to 1979. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1963 to 1971.
Larry Derryberry | |
|---|---|
| 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 11, 1971 – January 8, 1979 | |
| Governor | David Hall David Boren |
| Preceded by | G. T. Blankenship |
| Succeeded by | Jan Eric Cartwright |
| Speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – January 5, 1971 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 52nd district | |
| In office January 5, 1965 – January 5, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Howard Cotner |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the Jackson district | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 5, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Maurice Willis |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Larry R. Derryberry April 22, 1939 Altus, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 2016 (aged 77) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Gale Brazil (m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Willis Landrum Derryberry Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA) University of Oklahoma College of Law (JD) |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer |
Early life and education edit
Derryberry was born in Altus, Oklahoma on April 22, 1939 to Willis Landrum Derryberry and Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry. He graduated from high school as salutatorian of his class.
Derryberry subsequently attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1961 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1963.[1]
Career edit
Derryberry was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives during his second year of law school. He served from 1963 to 1971 as a Democrat, representing the Jackson district from 1963 to 1965 and the 52nd legislative district of Oklahoma from 1965 to 1971.
During his time in office, Derryberry chaired the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting. He also served as both Assistant Majority Floor Leader and speaker pro tempore.
In 1970, Larry was elected the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma, serving from 1971 to 1979. Following his tenure, Larry continued practicing law in Oklahoma City.[1]
Personal life and death edit
Derryberry married Gale Brazil in 1963. They had two children, a son and daughter.
Derryberry died at the age of 77 in Oklahoma City on November 19, 2016.[2][3]
Legacy edit
A book about Derryberry, Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry, was written by historian Bob Burke and published by the Oklahoma Historical Society.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b "Larry Derryberry Obituary". Legacy.com. November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "Memorial service planned for former Oklahoma Attorney General Larry Derryberry". Oklahoma: KFOR. November 27, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ Journal Record Staff (November 21, 2016). "Larry Derryberry dead at 77". The Journal Record. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Burke, Bob. "Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry". Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
