Lee Roy Larkin

Lee Roy Larkin, 94, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

Lee was born in Oklahoma City, OK on August 11, 1928.  He was raised on the family farm just east of Midwest City, OK, as the second of four boys. As a youth he engaged in mischief and hard work with his older brother and provided an ideal to emulate for his younger brothers. During high school, he followed his father into masonry, a trade that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Lee laid his final brick at age 92 during the remodel of his son’s home.

In 1946 Lee graduated from Choctaw High School as salutatorian.  He attended Oklahoma A&M where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950.  While at Oklahoma A&M, Lee was a member of ROTC and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, serving as AGR chapter president in 1950.

From 1951 to 1958 Lee was a Captain in the US Army and Army reserves. His active duty service occurred in Europe.  He often spent his leave exploring the continent with a special interest in historic masonry techniques.

In 1952, Lee graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Master of Economics and accepted a position with the Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis, MN.  While working as an agricultural economist for Pillsbury, Lee attended the William Mitchell College of Law at night, earning a JD in 1959.  After passing the Minnesota Bar, Lee continued to work for Pillsbury as an attorney until 1962.

In 1962, Lee moved to Houston where he joined the Tom Arnold Law firm. In 1963, Lee formed a partnership with Paul Harris, creating the Harris & Larkin Law firm specializing in patent, trademark, and copywrite law.  In 1965, Harris & Larkin merged with Andrews Kurth Campbell & Jones (now known as Hunton Andrews Kurth). Lee became a partner at AKCJ in 1966 and remained with the firm until his retirement in 1993.

Also in 1962, Lee began attending St. Philip Presbyterian Church.  Lee leaves a legacy of faithfulness and service, having acted in many capacities over the decades, including deacon, elder, and trustee. It was at St. Philip in 1963 that Lee met Jane Langston at the Single Adults group. Recognizing the love of his life, Lee began courting Jane, famously treating her to several Wednesday night Colt 45 baseball games – until Jane learned that Wednesday was “bring a lady for $1 night” and she asked “am I a cheap date, or what?”. In response to that question, Lee quickly discovered many other activities they could enjoy together. Lee and Jane married on April 17, 1965, and were together at the time of his death. 

Lee and Jane’s family grew in 1967 with the birth of son James William, and again in 1969 with the birth of son John Patrick.  Lee was a caring and generous father. He spent countless hours building sand boxes, tree houses, pinewood derby entries, and skateboard ramps. He coached baseball teams and lead camping trips. He taught his sons critical life skills including whittling, joke telling, watermelon seed spitting, fishing, hunting, golf, tennis, auto maintenance, shooting pool, tying a necktie, cattle ranching, farming, grilling meat, taking care of one’s tools, etiquette, ethics, and integrity.

Lee was a member of Rotary International’s Sharpstown Club for over 50 years and truly lived Rotary’s Four Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do: 1.) Is it the TRUTH?  2.) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3.) Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, 4.) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Lee enjoyed many years of friendship, golf, and tennis at Riverbend Country Club in Sugarland. He was a loyal supporter of all of Houston’s professional teams, especially the Colt 45s, Astros, Rockets, Oilers, and Texans. In retirement, Lee and Jane enjoyed travel far and wide. 

Lee prepared for the arrival of his first grandchild by getting cataract surgery and hearing aids at age 81.  He was a doting grandfather, always ready with stories, play, and laughter.

Lee was preceded in death by his father, William Patrick Larkin, his mother Agnes Amelia Mathies Larkin, his brothers Roger A. Larkin and Robert J. Larkin, and his son John Patrick Larkin.

Lee is survived by his loving wife Jane, son Jim and wife Penny, granddaughter Amelia, brother Carl T. Larkin and wife June Larkin, brother in law John Langston and wife Patti Langston, and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. 

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection in memory of Lee is scheduled for 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 4 in the Sanctuary of St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe St., Houston, Texas, 77056.  The service will be live streamed at: saintphilip.net.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Lee’s name to either St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe St., Houston, Texas, 77056; or to Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, 2229 FM 1340, Hunt, TX 78024; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.