Larry Dewayne Surber

On May 11 1937, on his grandparents farm in Eustis, NE, Larry Dewaye Surber entered this world as the only son of Harold and Dorothy Surber. On September 28, 2022 he peacefully departed his earthly life to live on in Heaven.

Larry lived with his grandparents until he was 9 years old. During those years, he rode a horse a mile and a half to the one room country school. At age 9, he moved to Gothenburg to live with his his mother Dorothy and step-father Pat Haynes. In 8th grade, Larry liked a pretty girl named Carol. Bought her a few Cokes, sat on her front porch and talked, but she dumped him for another boy. But more about her later.

During junior high and high school, he was active in sports, had a great group of friends and went to church with them regularly. Attended UNL for 2 yrs, got bored, and joined the Army to serve as an electronics instructor for Nike Guided Missile Radar.

In 1958, while back in Gothenburg, he ran into Carol again. It took only 4 dates, and Carol said yes to marriage. Much later Larry was quoted as saying, “That was the best decision of my life…. other than becoming a Christian.” After finishing his military service in Texas, they moved back to Nebraska where Larry finished college and earned a BS Electrical Engineering degree. In 1959, Carol gave birth to their 1st daughter, Kelly.

While working at Lockheed Missiles and Space in Sunnyvale, CA, Larry helped design communication antennas on the Mariner 4 spacecraft, which performed the first successful flyby of the planet Mars. During the time in CA, Larry became a dad again to Jake and David. Second daughter, Jennifer, came along a couple years later in Minnesota.

Throughout his life, Larry had a very active church life. Youth sponsors, small group Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher, many trips to different churches in NE with Lay Witness Mission and a team member for Macedonia Ministries. Over these years, the Lord strengthened Larry in preparation for what was coming. In August 1975, Jake and his best friend went missing and were found deceased. Because of the knowledge that their son was a Christian and had recently led his best friend to the Lord, there was a feeling of peace and also grace to forgive the person who committed this crime. Larry used this experience to teach others about faith and forgiveness.

Larry enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, traveling and especially loved eating his wife’s gourmet cooking. He was very passionate about genealogy and has traced his lineage back to Switzerland in the 1700’s.

Larry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol Surber, children, Kelly (Don Gray), David (Lauren Adrover-Surber) and Jennifer (Jason Adkisson) Sister, Cheri (Mike Wilson).  Grandchildren Jessica, Leanne, Rebekah, Jacob, Joey, Jude and Luke. 5 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson

He is preceded in death by son Jake and sister, Jane Lemmert.

The family has entrusted Aspen Cremation and Burial Services with the arrangements. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11am Saturday, October 8, 2022 at First Baptist Church Lincoln, NE 14th and K. A reception will follow.  Please have flowers sent directly to the church.

The Memorial Service will be livestreamed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81898234158?pwd=a25FUHMrclE0NzZvRFRhVVg3Vnl5UT09  Meeting ID: 818 9823 4158, Passcode: 414722

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