Claude Larry Grissom

Rev. C. Larry "Buddy" Grissom was born April 5, 1939 in Morris Oklahoma to Jake and Anna Grissom. He passed away March 13, 2015 in Henryetta, Oklahoma at the age of 75. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Anna Grissom, two sisters, Nadean Grissom and Norma Smelser. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Grissom of the home; Two sons, Scott Grissom and his wife Kelly of St. Louis, Missouri; Andre Grissom of Henryetta, Oklahoma; One daughter, LeAnna Grissom of Chicago, Illinois; One granddaughter, Alexandra Grissom of St. Louis, Missouri; A brother-in-law, Lonnie Smelser of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; A niece, Lana Jacobs and her husband Melvin of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Brothers-in-law, Rev. E. Gerald Hutton and wife Emogene of Asheboro, North Carolina; & Frank Hutton and wife Ruth of Oregon City, Oregon. Rev. Grissom graduated from Morris High School in 1957 and was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1962, and enrolled in the Military Police Academy at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 382nd Military Police Battalion in Baumholder, Germany. When his service obligation was complete, he moved to San Jose, California where he met the love of his life, his wife Carolyn. In June of this year, they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage. For forty-two years, they were actively involved in ministry. He served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Burl Woodward in Gridley, California for thirteen months. His aunt, Rev. Willa B. Peters, experienced health problems at an advanced age and asked Rev. Grissom to come to Henryetta as Co-Pastor of Gospel Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church. He, his wife, and two young sons made the move to Oklahoma and began 40 years of service to the church and community. In the past eighty five years, Gospel Tabernacle has had only two pastors: Willa B. Peters and C. Larry Grissom. Rev. Grissom has served in a variety of positions in the Oklahoma District of the United Pentecostal Church. His many district roles include serving two terms as the Sunday School Director for Section 3, Secretary/Treasurer of Section 3 for 23 years, District Harvestime/Media Missions Director for twenty five years, and the South Central Media Missions Commissioner for two terms. He served as the Presbyter of Section 3, and as a District Board Member for ten years, as well as overseeing the production of sales and media recordings of district campmeetings, women's conferences, and men's retreats. In past years, he was actively involved in the Henryetta community as a member of the Henryetta Rotary Club, and two terms as a board member of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce. He also served two terms as President of the Henryetta Board of Education, was elected to two terms as President of the Henryetta Ministerial Alliance, and was privileged to be pastor to some of the greatest people on God's green earth. Pallbearers will be, Chris Ledbetter, Bobby Christian, Robert Christian, Jonathan Shatwell, Jerry Frazier, and Deloy Vaughn. Visitation and viewing will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Integrity Chapel with the family present to greet friends. Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2015 at Dewar United Pentecostal Church with Rev. Micah Wisdom, Rev. Joshua Bauer, Rev. E. Gerald Hutton Hutton, Rev. David Hutton, Rev. Matthew Martin & Rev. David Shatwell officiating. Interment will follow in Okmulgee Cemetery with Evangelist Ethan Hagan, officiating. Services are under direction and care of Integrity Funeral Service. Condolences may be sent at www.integrityfuneralservice.com