Lawrence Franklin McAtee Jr. stepped peacefully into the arms of his loving Savior on October 11, 2024.

Larry was born in Orange, New Jersey, on March 6, 1937, to Lawrence Franklin McAtee Sr. and Marion Ogden McAtee. Larry attended Mount Hermon Preparatory School in Mount Hermon, MA, and Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs. At Princeton, he was a member of the ROTC program. Upon graduating, he spent six months in Lawton, Oklahoma, serving at Ft. Sill in the Artillery Division. While in Lawton, he went on a blind date with JoAnn McClenny, and the two were wed on July 14, 1961. Larry and JoAnn moved back to New Jersey, where Larry obtained his Master of Business Administration from New York University.

Larry's work in sales for Honeywell initially brought the couple to New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In 1969, to be closer to JoAnn's family, the couple settled in Oklahoma City, where they have lived ever since. A councilman for Ward 3 for twenty years, Larry's genuine care for the people of his city and ward was embodied in his participation in countless neighborhood meetings and responses to thousands of calls and texts. He worked tirelessly to solve problems and improve communities because he believed in OKC and its people. His service and leadership will benefit generations to come.

After JoAnn and Larry wed, Larry began attending church with JoAnn. During that time, he heard the good news that Jesus loved him and wanted a personal relationship with him. Larry made a commitment to follow Jesus during one of those early services. Larry did not do anything halfway; so as he began to grow in faith, the purpose and trajectory of his life changed. Larry became an enthusiastic student and teacher of God's Word. He read his Bible daily, fully expecting God to speak to him and prepared to obey. As God spoke to him, he would write that day's date beside the verse, claiming its truth and committing to follow it. Today, there are thousands of hand-written dates throughout Larry's Bible.

For over 50 years, Larry led Sunday school classes, where he was a passionate Bible teacher on character, Biblical business and personal finance practices, and marriage and family. He had a remarkable ability to take the Scriptures and encapsulate them into a practical application, such as his translation of 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "No work-y, no eat-y"; or the three most powerful words of a Christian in a broken world from Proverbs 1:10: "No thank you." A man of principle, integrity, and deep conviction, Larry was never concerned with popularity or being in the majority. His convictions were founded in prayer and the Word, and his convictions determined every decision he made.

Larry was the quintessential loving father and cherished every moment spent with his girls. Sunday afternoons were filled with bike rides, slurpees, and trips to the playground or swimming pool. Every night, he would kneel by their beds and pray with them. He instilled great values and leaves a deep legacy. He took great joy in planning family vacations, whether to Disney, the beach, or the mountains. He and JoAnn loved taking their girls on vacations from coast to coast and continued that with their grandchildren.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife JoAnn of 63 years, their three daughters, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Kim Pitt and her husband, Robby Pitt; Brecke Paine and her husband, Austin, and son Shepherd; Cassie Pitt; Kathy Young; Kyle Young and his wife, Haley, and daughter, Sage; Katie Hackett; Kelsey Nilius and her husband, Drew, and daughter, Saphirra; Kevin Young and his wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Augusta; Kelly Young and Kara Young; Lori Williams; James Williams; Allison Hunt and her husband, Tyler; Mitchell Williams; and Lauren Williams. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Marion McAtee; his father and mother-in-law, Lennis and Elizabeth McClenny; and his son-in-law, Matt Williams.

The phrase "a long obedience in the same direction" is true of Larry McAtee and how he lived his life. As Larry often closed his Sunday School lessons, in reference to Revelation 21:4 and Christ's final victory over death: "We Win!"

Viewing will be held from 4-8PM Tuesday, October 22, 2024 with family present from 6-8PM at the Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd., OKC, OK 73142. A funeral service to celebrate Larry's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Quail Springs Baptist Church, 14613 N. May Ave, OKC, OK 73134

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Food Pantry at Quail Springs Baptist Church online at https://qsbc.onlinegiving.cc/donate/guest_donate?#!/

or by mail to:

14613 N. May Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Please make checks payable to Quail Springs Baptist Church.