Virl Otis LaMunyon of Perryton, peacefully passed to his eternal home on Dec. 4, 2020.
A graveside funeral service held at the Laverne Cemetery on Friday, Dec.11, 2020 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Mark Metzger officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funerals Home of Perryton.
The funeral home in Perryton will be open for viewing/visitation on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 1-9 p.m and Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Due to COVID 19 guidelines, social distancing will be practiced and occupancy numbers will be limited. Services will be broadcast live on Boxwell Brothers Facebook page for those who wish to watch (if there is enough cell phone service to log on). There is a link on the website (boxwellbros. com) to access the Facebook page.
Virl was born on Aug. 17, 1934 to Dennis and Denzel Hayes LaMunyon just outside of Laverne, OK, near the family home place. He made his arrival on Dennis’ 26th birthday. Virl, along with his dad and brother, would wake up early every morning to milk the cows at the family dairy before heading off to school. He told wonderful stories of being raised in Laverne, enjoying school events, and Saturday nights on the busy main street with his dear LaMunyon cousins. And of course, he loved
the city swimming pool, where he saw Patsy Carlisle on the diving board. Virl stated to his friends, “I am going to marry that girl one day.” Virl was a proud member of the Laverne High School Class of 1952 and maintained many of these childhood friendships throughout his lifetime.
Virl attended Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State) where he was in the Farmhouse Fraternity, ROTC, and band. It was in the Student Union ballroom where Patsy taught Virl how to dance. After earning his degree in Animal Science in 1956, Virl joined the United States Air Force where he learned to fly. He served in the Pacific and loved to mention that he was in both Alaska and Hawaii on the days that each entered statehood.
In July 1954, he married that swimsuit beauty, Patsy Ann Carlisle. They eloped in Clayton, NM with good friends JC and Bonnie McKee as witnesses. This was done while Patsy’s father, Harry, was on a fishing trip in Canada. Virl was one scared young man when he finally had to face his new farther-in-law with a lot of explaining to do.
Virl and Patsy lived in Perryton briefly after his military service, and then returned home to Laverne to live on the Carlisle ranch east of town. He managed the ranch’s cow-calf operation for his in-laws and also piloted them to numerous events such as horse races, greyhound races, and hunting trips all over the United States. The ranch is where Virl and Patsy raised their four beautiful children. When they weren’t ranching, the family spent many hours water skiing at Fort Supply Lake. The children were blessed to have a small-town Oklahoma upbringing with both sets of grandparents nearby.
Virl’s true love was the cattle industry. During the 1980s, Virl became owner of Perryton Feeders, Inc. feedlot and Union County Feedlot in Clayton, NM. Virl also was involved with Western Beef and Consolidated Beef Producers. He rented land and fed cattle all over the south and southwestern United States. He was open minded to new innovations in the cattle industry, and he was always there to be a mentor to many young ranchers and farmers; his influence will be felt for years to come.
Virl and Patsy were avid world travelers. Many of these trips were spent with their art group or cattlemen friends that they referred to as their “Australian group.” Virl absolutely loved being around people. He was just as comfortable in a large group as he was visiting with a person one-on-one. His most memorable moments were with the “Birthday Group” of friends in Perryton. These couples spent years of good times together and still meet weekly for dinner at The Perryton Club. In later years, he and Patsy spent winters in Scottsdale, AZ, where they also had family and dear friends. And don’t for get all those OSU Cowboy football games - Go Pokes!
Virl will be remembered by his grandchildren as their loving Granddad. He attended countless sporting events, dance recitals, and stock shows to cheer on his kids and grandkids. His sound advice and encouragement was a priceless gift his grandchildren cherish. His homemade ice cream was legendary and so was his two-step on the dance floor.
Virl gave his life to the Lord Jesus as a young boy at the Laverne Apostolic Church, where his family was instrumental in the church and tent revivals. As an adult, he was a member of the Perryton and Laverne First Christian Churches. Later in his life, he attended the First United Methodist Church of Perryton with his grandchildren.
Virl served on the Laverne School Board, the OSU Foundation Board, the OSU College of Agriculture Advisory Board, and The Perryton Club Board. He was also a member of the Oklahoma and National Cattlemen’s Associations and on the Board of Directors of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Virl is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, his brother, Gail LaMunyon, his sister, Treva LaMunyon, and her life-long friend, Kay Wilson. Also two sons, Richard LaMunyon and Bret LaMunyon.
He is survived by his daughter, Richelle Edmonston, and husband, Brian, of Stillwater, OK; one son, John LaMunyon, of Oklahoma City, OK; and daughter-in-law, Kim La-Munyon, of Perryton. Surviving grandchildren are Kelsey Gourley (husband Derek), Christopher Edmonston (wife Victoria), Britny Midkiff (husband Benjamin), Kylie Edmonston (fiance Timmy Williams), Mark LaMunyon, Quinn LaMunyon, and Logan LaMunyon. Three great-grandchildren, Nathan, Tyler, and Taryn Gourley. Sister-in-law, Beverly LaMunyon and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the following: Museum of the Plains (1200 N. Main Perryton, TX 79070), Ochiltree County Senior Citizen Center (PO Box 738, Perryton, Tx 79070), or The Ranger Academic Enrichment Foundation (PO Box 179, Perryton, Tx 79070).