Larry Alton "Pappy" Forsythe

Larry Alton “Pappy” Forsythe, age 84, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on February 13, 2026. He was born on November 20, 1941, to the late L. A. and Lillie (Akin) Forsythe in Tahoka, Texas.

Larry lived a long and rather exciting life. He grew up in Tahoka, Texas and attended Tahoka schools where he would graduate high school in 1960. He then went on to Lubbock Christian College on a tennis scholarship. Later, he transferred to Texas Tech University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degrees and his Master’s degrees. During his college years, he began working at Pantex in Amarillo, Texas which then began his 40+ year long career in nuclear engineering as well as becoming the Head of the Department of Energy for the United States Government. While obtaining his degrees and starting his career, Larry met the love of his life, Nancy (Pyeatt) Forsythe, and he would tell everyone that from the moment he laid his eyes on her he was going to do everything he could to get her to notice him because he wanted to make her his wife – he accomplished his mission. Larry and Nancy were married on February 5, 1966, in Tahoka, Texas, which began the beginning of their 60 years together. They had two sons, Loy Allen Forsythe and Lance Arlynn Forsythe, leading to a large extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Larry found joy in many aspects of life, including camping, fishing, traveling, watching sports channels, and, perhaps most importantly, playing hearts on his computer. He was a devoted Christian, a loving husband, a good father, and an even better grandfather – well, Pappy to us.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Nancy Forsythe; his oldest son, Allen Forsythe and his wife Anne Forsythe; his nine grandchildren: Amanda and husband Tim, Summer, Shelbee, Kieran, L. Andrew, A. J., Isabella, Andrew, and Brystol, and his four great-grandchildren: Ryleigh, Preslee, Logan, and Parker.

Preceding him in death is his parents, L. A. and Lillie Forsythe; his brother, Jerry Forsythe; his sister, Dixie Park; his son, Lance Forsythe; and his grandson-in-law, Kurt Forkner.

Visitation for Larry will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Venue on Broadway, 2202 Broadway, next door to Combest Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at South Plains Church of Christ, 6802 Elkhart Avenue in Lubbock, with Jim Brewer, pulpit minister officiating. Entombment will follow in the St. Thomas Mausoleum at Resthaven Memorial Park under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Larry Andrew Forsythe, Andrew Forsythe, A. J. Forsythe, Jay Forsythe, Jeff Forsythe and Justin Forsythe.

In lieu of the customary floral offerings, the family asks that you donate in Larry’s memory to Lubbock Lions Club, 3305 81st Street, Suite D, Lubbock, TX 79423 or to the Audubon Nature Institute’s Tree of Life, East Drive, New Orleans, LA 70118.