Larry Fortson

Kenneth “Larry” Fortson passed away on October 16, 2020 at his home in Shiloh at the age of 78.  Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2020 in the Prairie Grove Cemetery with Rev. Maurine Day officiating.  Galen Day, Danny Ray Fortson, Jackie Phillips, Jorden Darby, Levin Darby and Brady Fortson will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers will be John Pevehouse and Daniel Ramirez.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Sunday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.

Larry was born November 3, 1941 in Shiloh, Texas to Joseph Spurgeon and Tressie Estell (Whisenhunt) Fortson.  He moved to Houston for a short time but returned to the place he loved and called home, Shiloh. 

Nothing meant more to Larry than his family.  He loved being a Dad, but after becoming a grandfather, his love grew even more.  Although he was a rather quiet man, the grandkids had a way of bringing out a different side of him as he thoroughly enjoyed teasing and cutting up with them; they were the highlight of his life.  Larry also loved his Blue Catahoula dogs which, over the years, he owned seven of them, all named “Red” with the exception of the last one, he called her “Baby”.

In his younger years, Larry enjoyed coon hunting and in most recent years, he enjoyed restoring tractors and buying and selling them. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Tressie Fortson; son, Kenneth Fortson, Jr.; and brothers, Joe, Ollie and Al Fortson.

Larry is survived by his wife, Yvonne Fortson of Mexia; sons, James Fortson of Mexia and Robert Fortson and wife, Andee of Teague; daughter, Misty Darby of Mexia; sister, Laverne Day of Mexia; brothers-in-law, Bennie Phillips and wife, Jennie of Groesbeck and Duane Beard and wife, Tauna of Wortham; sister-in-law, Bettye Martin and husband, Truman of Rice; 11 grandchildren; six great grandchildren: and numerous nieces and nephews..