It is with great sadness that the family of Larry Wayne Barks, announces his passing after a prolonged fight with lung cancer. Larry passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the age of 77 years. Larry fought and beat lung cancer in 2011, it recurred in 2016 and he fought admirably until the end.

He was born on August 18, 1940 in Daisy, MO to Roy Barks and Emma (Hahn) Barks. Larry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years, Mira Barks; and his daughters: Elizabeth (Libby) Larson (Huntsville, AL); Kathryn (Katie) Crawford (Decatur, AL); and Bethany Barks; (Owens Cross Roads, AL). He will be forever fondly remembered by his siblings: Ray Barks (Sacramento, CA), Emma Cannon (Cape Girardeau, MO), and grandchildren Kathryn Larson and Keira Larson. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, George Barks, Harold Barks, Jerry Barks, and Lois LaBruyere.

Larry attended school in Cape Girardeau. He joined the U.S. Navy, at the age of 17, in 1958. Larry worked as an Aviation Machinist's Mate (ADCS) in the U.S. Navy as a mechanic, instructor, and C-130 Flight Engineer. During his career with the Navy he was stationed at Quonset Point, RI; Lexington Park, MD; Keflavik, Iceland; Cecil Field, FL; Agana, Guam; McMurdo Station, Antarctica; and Memphis, TN.

In 1961 he married Missy Austin and together they had two children, Elizabeth (Libby) and Kathryn (Katie). They divorced in 1966. In 1978, Larry married Mira Koehler and they had one child, Bethany Barks.

Larry retired from the U.S. Navy in 1976 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He moved to Virginia and worked as a Civil servant with the Naval Air Systems Command. He obtained a BS from National Louis University. In 1998 he founded a DoD Contracting firm, and retired (again) in 2011. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and the Old Antarctica Explorers Association (OAEA).

Larry was a unique soul; a quiet intelligent man, he spoke seldom but when he did it was worth listening. He had a very dry wit and loved to tell a joke or two. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, collecting coins, rebuilding cars; and playing darts, billiards, and poker. He had a great thirst for learning and reading. He thoroughly enjoyed books about international intrigue, spies, murder mysteries, and the Old West. He will be greatly missed.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00a.m. The memorial service will be held after the viewing, at 11:00 a.m. . Interment and graveside ceremony will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, immediately after the memorial service. Funeral services are organized by Berryhill Funeral Home, 2305 N Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, AL 35810, phone: 256-536-9197.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Larry's name to the American Cancer Association.