LARRY GENE REASOR

By Susan Mayo-Strain, (c)2004

Photo courtesy of Ken Perry, Director of Advertising, Reasor's
Used with Permission

Larry Reasor was a pioneer. No, he didn't fit the description one might conjure up of an aged, ancient trailblazer. He wasn't one who laid the foundations for a new townsite, didn't change the course of history, and wasn't responsible for laying new railroads through vast prairies. But still, Larry Reasor was a pioneer.

Larry Reasor owned grocery stores. Yes, that's right . . . grocery stores . . . twelve of them, in fact, in Jenks, Sapulpa, Tahlequah, Tulsa, Langley, and other towns in northeastern Oklahoma. Larry Reasor made you smile. He made you feel good about everyday things. He made you feel like homefolks. And he could play a mean trombone, too!

When Larry passed away following back surgery on February 1st, 2004, we lost a friend who had become a part of our lives, whether he was walking up and down the aisles of one of his local stores or tickling our funny bones dressed up like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny on a television commercial. We all looked forward to seeing Larry Reasor.

Larry enjoyed spending time with people. He loved people and he showed it by his friendly demeanor, his generosity, his willingness to become involved, and his insistence in providing the best he knew how to give to his customers. When you walk into a Reasor's Grocery store, you always know you can count on quality, cleanliness and fair prices. You knew that the home-owned chain was watched over personally by someone who cared. That someone was Larry Reasor, and he made his presence known. Many times you'd go around a corner in the store to meet his smiling face coming toward you.

Larry was always first to step up to the plate when the need was there. His contributions to Northeastern State University in his home town of Tahlequah brought him honors and recognition, but that's not what his motivation was. His drive was pushed by his love. When a young Tulsa Albertson's employee was shot in a late-night robbery, Larry Reasor was first to contribute toward a fund to help find the assailant. Larry Reasor could always be counted on to forge ahead where others might hesitate . . . he was there to help and encourage.

And now Larry Reasor is gone. How we will miss him. He has become a part of our daily lives, and there will be an empty spot that we will have to work around. God bless you, Larry Reasor! You were one of a kind!

TAHELQUAH -- Larry Gene Reasor, the founder of the Reasor's grocery store chain and a Tahlequah community leader, died Monday. He was 70.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Jack Dobbins Fieldhouse at Northeastern State University under the direction of Hart Funeral Home in Stilwell.

Reasor's family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Reasor, whose parents owned a Drumright restaurant, was born in 1933. He first entered the retail food business after serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955.

He and his wife, Janet, moved to Tahlequah in 1963 and bought an existing retail grocery store, renaming it Reasor's Red Bud Food Center.

Reasor eventually expanded his namesake chain to include 12 stores throughout northeastern Oklahoma. He also branched out as a community leader, serving as preident of the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Kiwanis Club and on the board of the former National Bank.

His most tireless efforts, perhaps, were given to help NSU. Reasor was a member of the NSU Quarterback Club and was co-chairman of the NSU Foundation's Vision for the Future campaign.

Last year, he was honored with the NSU Citation of Merit. The award recognized his long-time contrubutions to the Tahlequah university.

"The university is very important to the community and its economy," Reasor said then. "The more NSU grows, the more Tahlequah grows."

NSU President Larry Williams credited Reasor with much of the area's success last year.

"Larry Reasor is a builder of dreams," Williams said. "Fortunately for Northeastern, Tahlequah and the communities he has touched, Larry Reasor is also a s supporter of dreams."

In his free time, Reasor piloted his own plane, played the trombone and raced thoroughbred horses.

He is survived by Janet, his wife of 50 years; four sons, Jeff, Jay, Brian and Alan; and 10 grandchildren.

Friends can contribute to the NSU Foundation, where a scholarship has been established in Reasor's name, or to the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy Center in Muskogee.

TAHLEQUAH, OK. Larry Gene Reasor, long time businessman and community supporter, died on February 1, 2004, at the age of 70. Funeral services are under the direction of Hart Funeral Home and are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2004, in Tahlequah, at Jack Dobbins Field House on the campus at Northeastern State University. The family will be receiving visitors on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Hart Funeral Home.

Larry was born on July 1, 1933 in Drumright, Oklahoma, one of three children born to Harry and Lena (Owens) Reasor.

Larry is preceded in death by his paretns and one brother, H.P. Reasor.

Larry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet Escott Reasor; four sons, Jeff Reasor and wife Mitzi of Tahlequah, Jay Reasor of Nixa, Missouri, Brian Reasor and wife Dana of Tahlequah, and Alan Reasor and wife Felicia of Tulsa; ten grandchildren, Amanda Freel and husband Jordan of Duncan, OK, Jenny and Lauren Reasor of Tahlequah, Blake and Nick Reasor or Nixa, Missouri, Macy and Maggie Reasor of Tahlequah and Josh, Jacob and Adam Reasor of Tahlequah; and one sister Jerry Smaltz of Arlington, Texas.

After serving from 1953 to 1955 in the U.S. Army, Larry entered the retail food business. He and his wife moved to Tahlequah in 1963 and bought an existing retail grocery, renaming it Reasor's Red Bud Food Center. Throughout his career, Reasor expanded his retail business to 12 stores throughout Northeastern Oklahoma.

In addidition to his retail activities, Reasor served as President of the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Kiwanis Club, NSA Quarterback Club and served on the Board of the former 1st National Bank and its successors as well as numerous speaking engagements, focusing on positive thinking and Americanism. He was the 2003 recipient of the NSA Citation of Merit, an award that recognizes the contributions that citizens make to the University and the surrounding community. His many interests and pastimes included playing the trombone, piloting his own plane, playing golf and racing his thoroughbred horses.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the NSU Foundation, 600 North Grand Ave, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464, where a scholarship has been established in Larry's name or the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy Center, 1111 N. 36th Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401.