Larry E. Ourada, 82, of Tulsa Oklahoma passed away early AM on November 2, 2024, helping others as was his way. Born as the 1st of 5 children on January 26, 1942, in Lexington Nebraska, Larry was raised on a family farm just North of the Platte River in Dawson County, South of Overton, Nebraska. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lily Ourada and is survived by his siblings Steve Ourada (Diane), Vicki Jacobson, Cathy Fishback, and Ron Ourada (Connie) and several nieces and nephews.
He attended 1st thru 8th grade in a one-room red brick schoolhouse, a 79-student strong High School, and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1964 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering where he met the love of his life, his wife Mary E. Ourada (McKillip), of North Platte Nebraska. Larry was commissioned thru the USAF ROTC program and attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Enid Oklahoma, earning his USAF pilot wings as a member of class 66C.
Wed the day after Christmas, 1964, Larry & Mary raised 3 children and welcomed 9 grandchildren. A son Daniel J. Ourada of Tulsa, OK. A daughter Teresa A. Ferguson (William) also of Tulsa, OK. And son John E. Ourada (Molly) of Peachtree City, GA. He relished the role of "Papa O" to Dan's children Katelyn, Jacob (Katrina), and James, Teresa's children Will, Delaney, and Darcy, and John's children, Josh, Hayden and Ethan.
Larry's 2nd passion was flying, serving in the USAF and later the Tulsa ANG and as a Captain for both Trans World Airlines and American Airlines. After retiring from the Tulsa ANG and from American Airlines, Larry was a Tulsa Riverside airport regular, and a trusted 'good fellow' of the Quiet Birdmen and Daedalians. He could be found most weekends in his hangar with his Cessna preparing for a volunteer Angel Flight, where he would donate his time and skills flying patients in need of care to hospitals around the country. He also excelled at woodworking, building amazing furnishings for his family home in Tulsa, and exceptional cribs, bookshelves, doll houses, play tables, lamps and tables for all his kids and grandkids.
A viewing will be held at the Moore Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel on 07 November 2024 from 3PM to 5PM, with a Rosary at 6PM at the Church of the Madalene, both in Tulsa Oklahoma. A Funeral mass will occur at 10AM on Friday, 08 Nov 2024 also at the Church of the Madalene with a reception to follow. Internment at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with military honors at 2:30PM will follow the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Angel Flight of Oklahoma, at Angel Flight Inc., 12345 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa OK 74128, or online at < https://www.angelflight.com/make-a-donation/ >