Dates
Larry David Fluitt of San Angelo, TX went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2024, with his wife Linda at his side. He was 88 years of age. He was born on April 24, 1936 in Burnet, TX, the son of Leland and Lillian Dodd Fluitt. He was the youngest of three children, and was preceded in death by his parents and by his two older sisters, Sue Mallett of Burnet, and Norma Milligan of Austin.
Larry grew up near Buchanan Lake, outside of Burnet, and attended Burnet High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, and Abilene Christian College, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team.
He met his future wife, Linda Bradford, at church, and they were married on July 10, 1958 in LaMarque, TX. Their first place of residence was in Hitchcock, TX, where Larry worked for a sheet metal company, while preaching part-time. He soon felt God’s calling to become a full-time minister of the Gospel, and at the age of 22, he became the pulpit minister at the Church of Christ in Mason, TX, where they lived for the next five years.
Their sons, David Bradford Fluitt and Kip D Fluitt were born in 1962 and 1966, respectively, and in 1968, following brief preaching stints in Decatur and Keller, the family moved to Sweetwater, where Larry preached at the Lamar Street Church of Christ for 32 years.
During their time in Sweetwater, Larry was an active and respected member of the community, and a tireless worker for the cause of Christ: spreading the gospel, counseling, and ministering to those in need.
Larry’s favorite sport was baseball, and he was able to continue his passion for the game by coaching his sons’ teams for many years, winning numerous city and district championships. He was also a highly respected basketball referee, officiating many district and state championship tournaments, as well as Lone Star Conference games.
In his mid-40’s Larry obtained his aircraft private pilot’s license, as well as a commercial license and instrument flight rating, allowing him to fly commercially, which he did for the USDA as an aerial crop photographer, through his company, Air Photo.
Larry retired from preaching in 2000, and he and Linda soon moved to San Angelo, where they became active members of the Southgate Church of Christ, forging many deep and lasting friendships. Larry served as an elder at Southgate for many years, before stepping down. One of the great joys of living in San Angelo, was being close to Brad, their daughter-in-law Tammy, and grandson, Canon. They particularly enjoyed attending Canon’s sporting events.
Also during this time, they were blessed with an additional daughter-in-law in Kip’s wife, Frances, and two more grandchildren, Mia and Jack.
Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda Fluitt; his oldest son, Brad, and his wife Tammy, of San Angelo; his youngest son, Kip, and his wife Frances, of Austin; and his grandchildren, Canon Fluitt of San Angelo, Mia Fluitt of College Station, and Jack Fluitt of Austin.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10:00am, at Southgate Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to San Angelo Christian Academy or Southgate Church of Christ.