Lawrence Duke Boston, Jr.

Lawrence Duke Boston Jr. of Oklahoma City passed away on September 20, 2026, at the age of 87.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Lou Boston, and by his parents, Lawrence Duke Boston and Jane Josephine Boston.

Larry is survived by his sons, Michael Sean Boston (wife JoNell) and Steven Kyle Boston (wife Deanna); his grandchildren, Amanda Boston (husband Patrick Morris), Zachary Boston, and Ethan Boston; his great-granddaughter, Harper Morris; his sister, Beverly Boston Fried Michalek; his niece, Janie Fried; his nephews, Larry Fried and Mike Fried; and many other family members and loved ones.

Larry was born and raised in Oklahoma City, where he met Lou, the love of his life. They were married for 49 years and 11 months before her passing. Together they raised two sons, welcomed three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, and built a home that was always full of extended family, laughter, and memories made around Sunday dinners, holidays, and every special occasion.

Larry proudly served his country for 32 years in the Air National Guard, including deployment during Desert Storm, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He served in the 137th Tactical Airlift Wing. In addition to his military career, he worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, carrying a hard work ethic that he passed down to his sons and grandchildren.

Larry was the kind of man who couldn't walk past someone in need. He once ran into a burning house he passed on his way home from work, just to check whether anyone inside needed help. He was a skilled handyman who was always fixing something around the house, and he even built a full addition onto his home entirely by himself, figuring it out and constructing it on his own. His love of animals took root working at his father's veterinary office, and it never left him. Cats, dogs, squirrels, birds, possums, and raccoons: if it was hurt, Larry nursed it back to health. He told his grandchildren that every person is an angel in disguise, and he lived like he believed it, helping anyone or any animal he could.

He had an open mind and a curious spirit, and he loved reading about the world. Poetry held a special place in his heart. He collected his favorite poems and had them bound into a keepsake book for his grandchildren, titled For the Children, so his love of poetry would live on with them. One of the poems he chose to include:

I thank thee, Lord, for quiet rest, And for thy care of me; Oh, let me through this day be blessed, And kept from harm by thee.

Oh let me thank thee; kind thou art To children such as I; Give me a gentle, loving heart; Be thou my friend on high.

Help me to please my parents dear, And do whatever they tell; Bless all my friends, both far and near, And keep them safe and well. (Unknown)

Larry was funny, sweet, and ornery, all with a good heart. He was genuine, empathetic, loyal, and unapologetically direct. You always knew exactly where you stood with him, and you always left laughing. He was passionate about life and about making the people around him happy, and he never let anyone walk out the door without a kiss on the cheek and a reminder that he loved them. He was full of great stories, and he was still telling new ones until his last days.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the family present from 4 to 6 at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home located at 1401 NW 23rd Street, OKC.  Funeral service will 10:30 a.m. Saturday September 26 at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery Chapel located at 7801 NW Expressway OKC.  

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Larry's love of helping and caring for animals, the family asks that donations be made to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society: https://okhumane.org/donate/