Larry Schafer

Larry Dean Schafer died unexpectedly Sunday June 2. Larry was born May 24, 1948, the oldest child of Everett & Clara Mae Larkan Schafer and was a lifelong resident of Lonoke. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Gary Schafer.

A 1966 graduate of Lonoke High School, he continued his education at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro where he obtained a degree in Agriculture in 1971. He then returned to Lonoke to farm rice, soybeans, and wheat. In addition to farming he sold crop protection products for DuPont, FMC Corporation and Monsanto over the course of 20 years. After his sales career was over he started Schafer Rice Consulting. In this role he maintained a close relationship with his clients and scouted fields weekly looking for any problems that may arise, and making recommendations as needed. He loved talking to farmers and helping them control pests in their fields just like they were his own. When he wasn’t walking fields looking for weeds, insects, or diseases he walked with a camera. His photos of farmers and the crops they produce along with wildlife and nature photographs adorn the walls of many homes and businesses in the area. In his spare time Larry traveled from the Buffalo River down through the Arkansas Delta always with camera slung across his shoulder capturing the beauty of Arkansas. In the fall and winter he loved to hunt, usually ducks but sometimes quail or geese with family and friends.

Larry is survived by his son and farming partner, Joseph (Joe) Paul Schafer and daughter in law, Tiffany Atkins Schafer, (Lonoke) brother, Joe Thomas Schafer and wife, Carolyn (Lonoke), sister, Linda Allen of Sherwood, step grandsons, Carson Devinney & Alexx Devinney and several nieces & nephews. Also stepchildren, Dr. Merideth Tomlinson of Chapel Hill, NC and Jimmy Tomlinson of Lonoke. He was a member of St Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle. The visitation will be held from 6 to 7 Thursday June 6th at St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle with Rosary following. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, at 10 a.m. June 7th also at St Rose in Carlisle.