Larry was born Feb. 24, 1950, in Giddings, to Claude Flippin and Mary Markert. He graduated as valedictorian from Lexington High School in 1969.

Larry married Shirley Marie Urbanek Dec. 22, 1973. They were blessed with four amazing children.

After attending Texas A&M University, where he was part of the Corps of Cadets, Larry became a heavy equipment operator.

He had a passion for running bulldozers, motor graders, tractors and pretty much anything with wheels and levers. Larry baled hay, built roads and terraces, dug tanks, welded and worked on projects like Farm to Market 973, Granger Dam, Texas 95 and Texas Motor Speedway. In addition to having his own construction business, he worked for the Texas Highway Department, Hunter Construction, Marvin Bachmeyer Construction, Travis County, Flying Z Ranch and Copeland Quarry.

Later in his life, Larry placed his faith in Jesus Christ. He was eager to learn about God and made prayer a part of his daily life. As he grew in his relationship with the Lord, his relationships with his family deepened.

Larry enjoyed getting together with his children and grandchildren whom he loved very much. He shared with them his love of the outdoors and his knowledge of hunting, mechanics and heavy equipment operation. He liked to tell jokes and listen to country music, gospel songs by B.J. Thomas and oldies.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Claude Flippin; mother, Mary Markert; stepfather, Monroe Markert; stepmother, Lee Ellen Flippin; and brother, Claude Flippin Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley; children, Sheryl (Paul, Sr.) Smith, Larry Flippin Jr., Michelle (Rick) Hernandez and James (Cody) Flippin; grandchildren, Ashley (Carlos) Ventura, Paul Smith Jr., Ryan Smith, Alison Smith, Joshua Hernandez, April Hernandez and Brandon Hernandez; great-grandson, Eli Ventura; and one great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his siblings, Donna (Lee) Halliburton, Frankie Flippin, Denise (Kenny) Urban and Debra Koslan (Dennis Smith); along with many nephews and nieces.

A visitation and funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 1, at Providence Funeral Home. The visitation will take place from noon to 2 p.m., and the funeral will start at 2 p.m.

Burial will follow at Machu Cemetery in Granger.

Pallbearers will be Larry Flippin, Jr., James Flippin, Rick Hernandez, Paul Smith, Sr., Paul Smith, Jr., and Ryan Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Ashley Ventura, Carlos Ventura, Eli Ventura, Alison Smith and Joshua Hernandez.

The family is grateful for the dedicated care Larry received from Dr. David Phillips and staff at Urology Austin, Dr. Bart Posnik and his team at Texas Oncology-Bastrop and the Critical Care doctors and nurses at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, you may plant trees in memory of Larry.