Larry Derryberry Explained

Larry Derryberry
Office:11th Attorney General of Oklahoma
Governor:David Hall
David Boren
Term Start:January 11, 1971
Term End:January 8, 1979
Predecessor:G. T. Blankenship
Successor:Jan Eric Cartwright
Office2:Speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Term Start2:January 7, 1969
Term End2:January 5, 1971
State House3:Oklahoma
District3:52nd
Term Start3:January 5, 1965
Term End3:January 5, 1971
Preceded3:District created
Successor3:Howard Cotner
State House4:Oklahoma
District4:Jackson
Term Start4:January 8, 1963
Term End4:January 5, 1965
Predecessor4:Maurice Willis
Succeeded4:District abolished
Birth Name:Larry R. Derryberry
Birth Date:22 April 1939
Birth Place:Altus, Oklahoma, U.S.
Death Place:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:2
Parents:Willis Landrum Derryberry
Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry
Education:University of Oklahoma (BA)
University of Oklahoma College of Law (JD)
Occupation:Politician, lawyer

Larry R. Derryberry (April 22, 1939 – November 19, 2016) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma from 1971 to 1979. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1963 to 1971.

Early life and education

Derryberry was born in Altus, Oklahoma, on April 22, 1939, to Willis Landrum Derryberry and Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry. He graduated from high school as salutatorian of his class.

Derryberry subsequently attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1961 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1963.[1]

Career

Derryberry was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives during his second year of law school. He served from 1963 to 1971 as a Democrat, representing the Jackson district from 1963 to 1965 and the 52nd legislative district of Oklahoma from 1965 to 1971.

During his time in office, Derryberry chaired the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting. He also served as both Assistant Majority Floor Leader and speaker pro tempore.

In 1970, Larry was elected the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma, serving from 1971 to 1979. Following his tenure, Larry continued practicing law in Oklahoma City.[1]

Personal life and death

Derryberry married Gale Brazil in 1963. They had two children, a son and daughter.

Derryberry died at the age of 77 in Oklahoma City on November 19, 2016.[2] [3]

Legacy

A book about Derryberry, Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry, was written by historian Bob Burke and published by the Oklahoma Historical Society.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Larry Derryberry Obituary. Legacy.com. November 29, 2016. November 10, 2023.
  2. News: Memorial service planned for former Oklahoma Attorney General Larry Derryberry. Oklahoma. KFOR. November 27, 2016. December 1, 2018.
  3. News: Journal Record Staff. Larry Derryberry dead at 77. The Journal Record. November 21, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161122185906/https://journalrecord.com/2016/11/21/larry-derryberry-dead-at-77-law/. November 22, 2016. November 10, 2023. Wayback Machine.
  4. Web site: Burke. Bob. Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry. Oklahoma Hall of Fame. November 10, 2023.