Larry Lumir Kobes, 83, passed away in McAlester, Oklahoma, on Oct. 27, 2020. He was born in rural Wilber on Aug. 15, 1937, to Lumir and Agnes (Belohlavy) Kobes. He spent the early years of his life on the Kobes homestead with memories of hard work, hunting on Turkey Creek and going to country school.
The family moved to Crete, where Larry continued his education until 1956 when he joined the U.S. Air Force. Larry spent 44 years as a jet mechanic first in the military and then, after a 1965 medical discharge due to a back injury, working for aircraft corporations. Larry traveled the world spending time in 19 states as well as international locations in England, Scotland, Italy, the Azore Islands, Morocco, Canada, Mexico and Okinawa during his aeronautics career. After the travel urge diminished, Larry settled in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was employed by Falcon Jet until his retirement in 2001. Larry resided in his home in North Little Rock and a summer home near Perry, Arkansas, until ill health necessitated his move to Oklahoma to be close to his older sister, Jenny, and her family. Larry had a love of life with a gift for gab. As he aged, he developed an interest in his Czech heritage, often looking in telephone books in cities he visited to see if there were any Kobes or Belohlavy families listed.
Larry will end his travels in the Wilber Czech Cemetery overlooking the Kobes homestead where he began his life’s journey. Survivors include siblings, Jenny Snider of McAlester, Allen (Shirley), Faye Phillips and Vicky of Lincoln; 11 nieces and nephews and numerous great- and great-great nieces and nephews; and uncle, Steve (June) Belohlavy of Yuma, Arizona. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to local veteran groups in Larry’s honor.
