Larry Derryberry

American politician (1939–2016)
Larry Derryberry
11th Attorney General of Oklahoma
In office
January 11, 1971 – January 8, 1979
GovernorDavid Hall
David Boren
Preceded byG. T. Blankenship
Succeeded byJan Eric Cartwright
Speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office
January 7, 1969 – January 5, 1971
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 52nd district
In office
January 5, 1965 – January 5, 1971
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byHoward Cotner
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the Jackson district
In office
January 8, 1963 – January 5, 1965
Preceded byMaurice Willis
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
Personal details
Born
Larry R. Derryberry

(1939-04-22)April 22, 1939
Altus, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 2016(2016-11-19) (aged 77)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Gale Brazil
(m. 1963)
Children2
Parent(s)Willis Landrum Derryberry
Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma (BA)
University of Oklahoma College of Law (JD)
OccupationPolitician, 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]

References

  1. ^ a b "Larry Derryberry Obituary". Legacy.com. November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Memorial service planned for former Oklahoma Attorney General Larry Derryberry". Oklahoma: KFOR. November 27, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Journal Record Staff (November 21, 2016). "Larry Derryberry dead at 77". The Journal Record. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ Burke, Bob. "Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry". Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
Offices and distinctions
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Oklahoma
1970, 1974
Succeeded by
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Preceded by
Maurice Willis
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the Jackson district
1963–1965
Succeeded by
District abolished
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Preceded by
District created
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 52nd district
1965–1971
Succeeded by
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Preceded by
Speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
1969–1971
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma
1971–1979
Succeeded by
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