Larry Jay Bernhardt

Larry Jay Bernhardt, age 76, passed away of an apparent heart attack on April 29, 2023, in Spring, Texas. He and his wife of 56 years, Beverly, lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for almost 20 years and just recently moved back to Spring, Texas to be close to family. Larry was born in Olney, Texas and was raised on a dairy farm near Megargel, Texas to parents Paul & Pauline Bernhardt: brothers Gene Paul and Charles Ray: and twin sister Sharon Kay.

Larry served others as a massage therapist for 18 years and worked for the St. Francis Health Zone in Tulsa. Larry, who never met a stranger, loved his job because he was able to give people the gift of better health while at the same time build caring relationships with others.

Larry loved nature and especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, scuba diving, and watching horse racing with his family and friends. He was interested in all kinds of animals from cats and dogs to birds and butterflies to fighting with his backyard squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits. Larry always had a smile and a story to go along with these: from sinking the boat in the bay; to catching the biggest fish; or to talking horse racing all day.

Mostly, Larry loved people and spending time with family and friends. He “collected” people his whole life and shared a kind heart of love with all those who were special to him. There were he many who he found special and cared for and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He is survived by wife, Beverly Monkres Bernhardt; two children and their spouses, a son, DeWayne Bernhardt and wife Mona Leigh of Spring, Texas and daughter Stacy Dawn Parker and husband Brian Parker of Ft. Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, Mitchell Bernhardt, Amelia Leigh Smith and husband Eric, Joshua Broussard, and Brennan Parker; one brother, Gene Bernhardt, and his wife Marilyn; and one twin sister, Sharon Kay Daugherty and her husband Erv Daugherty. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Charles Ray.

There will be a Celebration of Life service in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 3, 2023, at 11:00 am at the First Christian Church, 2602 S Elm Place, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The family asks that you come with your favorite memories of Larry and share the story with all of us.