Larry Gene Thunderbull Sr.

Larry Gene Thunderbull Sr. Cheyenne Name: “Angry Buffalo Bull” Born. April 29th 1946 – Died. June 11th 2020 Larry Gene Thunderbull Sr. was born in El Reno, Oklahoma to Bennie Thunderbull Sr. and Nellie Sue Big Eagle – Thunderbull. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth and two sons, Larry Jr. and Karl Sr. One of nine children, he was raised in El Reno and Clinton, Oklahoma. Larry Sr. was raised as a traditional Cheyenne where God, family, integrity and honor were regarded as the most important values and traditions to be upheld. He attended Concho Boarding School from elementary to junior high, graduating in 1966 from Chilocco Boarding School. He went on to attend Haskell College and to serve in the US Army National Guard. He was placed on Active Duty with the 101st ABN where he served his first tour of Vietnam in 1966. He volunteered for a second tour with the 2nd Rangers completing his service in 1970, returning home, to rarely discuss the events of those times. He met Elizabeth Old Crow-Prairie Chief while on leave in 1968 and they were married in 1969. Together they raised three boys and a daughter in Clinton, Oklahoma, Marvin, Larry Jr., Karl Sr., and Michelle. He cherished his three daughter in-laws, Jacqueline, Michelle Doyebi and Doris, as his own children. His many grandchildren, Dallion, Devon, Lauryn, Raven, Esmerelda, Elizabeth, Ethan, Karl Jr., Nathan, Kaydence, Marco, Chase, Larry Gene III and new great grandchild Marlee, all truly meant the world to him. After his military service he came home and spent most of his working life as a welder for Arkla Gas and ONG in Clinton. In his retirement years, to keep himself busy, he worked for the C&A Tribes as a Head Start Driver and then as a Security Officer. He loved attending Pow-Wows with his family. He was artistically creative and enjoyed woodworking and making things for his children and grandchildren. He taught his boys to fish, something he loved to do and passed on many other skills he had been taught, which they will carry with them forever. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was respected by all who met him and loved by everyone who knew him well. His wonderful sense of humor, kind soul and caring heart will be missed every day. He would say “integrity has its own reward”. Rest in peace.