Dr. Larry Mixon, Sr.

Dr. Larry Mixon, Sr., was born on December 15, 1948 in Columbus, Ohio, to Carnal and Hazel Mixon and also raised by his stepmother, Ida Mixon. Larry passed away unexpectedly on March 7, 2023 at Riverside Hospital. He was a graduate of Eastmoor High School, class of 1967 and upon graduation, he entered Central State University on a football scholarship.  Larry was a member of R.O.T.C where he was a distinguished military graduate. Larry was a proud member of the class of 1971, and graduated Cum Laude in that year. He received a deferment from the U.S. Army to study for his Master’s degree, which he received in nine months in guidance and counseling at The Ohio State University. He entered the Army in 1972 as a commissioned 2LT. Larry attended Ranger and Airborne school in Ft. Benning, Georgia where he finished first in his class of 215 and became an Airborne Ranger.

He, with his wife, Joan, were then stationed at Ft. Ord, California, where he served as Executive Officer for Company C-3-3 and Company Commander of Personnel Control Facility until 1975.
Larry was honorably discharged as a 1LT and began his career as Guidance Counselor, Physical Education teacher, Assistant Football coach and Head Track Coach at Eastmoor High School until 1978. He began working on his Doctorate and was a Physical Education Instructor until 1979, Safety & Security Specialist with Columbus schools from 1979 through 1984 and received his Doctorate in 1982.

During his career with the Columbus City Schools, Larry held the following positions: 1984-1987 Administrative Assistant at Whetstone High School, 1987-1988 Administrative Assistant at Independence High School, 1988-1989 Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, 1989-1992 Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and 1993-1997 Superintendent. He served as the Executive Director of Transportation from 1997 until his retirement in 2002. He was then appointed to the Ohio Wildlife Council where he served for 20 years until his passing. He was quite active in the council and enjoyed his role immensely. Larry also worked after retirement at Vance Outdoors where he continued lifelong relationships after he left. He was active in the Walnut Creek Civic Association and loved the community he lived in for 42 years.

Larry loved his family and was very proud of his sons and fourteen grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, RVing, sports and entertaining his friends and family; always inviting others to the party. A generous, kind man, all who came in contact with him were treated as a part of the family. One to never meet a stranger, he often said, “If you don’t talk to people, you’ll never know them”. He nurtured many close friendships that continue until this day.

Larry is preceded in death by his father, Carnal Mixon; mother, Hazel Mixon; stepmother, Ida Mixon; brothers, Alex Mixon, Willene Pope, Kevin Scott; sisters, Sharon Turner and Earlene Pope.

Larry leaves to cherish the memory of his wife of 52 years, Joan Mixon, his beloved sons; Larry (Latoscha) Mixon Jr. and Mike (Charisse) Mixon; his grandchildren, Jordyn, Kennedy, Isaiah, Austin, Mikel II, London, Maliyah, Milan, Albany, Aria, August, Sevyn, Julius and Jasmine; sisters, Rosalyn Mixon and Maxine Cochran; brothers, Wayne (Valena) Mixon and Gary Mixon; sisters-in-law, Shirley Robbins and Barbara Nooks and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Larry Mixon, Sr., please visit our floral store.