Dr. Larry Dean Fetzer

Dr. Larry Dean Fetzer, was called home to his heavenly Father on Thursday, February 25, 2016 with his family by his side. Funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 29, 2016 at University Baptist Church, Shawnee, OK with Dr. Mack Roark and Rev. Jay Allen officiating. Interment will be at Resthaven Memorial Park, Shawnee, under the direction of Walker Funeral Service. He was born August 29, 1939 in a farm home just north of Helena, OK to Ruth Maude Fetzer and Dale Ceylon Fetzer. Dean was the next youngest of 10 brothers and sisters, including a brother that died as an infant. Dean was proud of his family and never thought his parents got enough credit for raising 5 teachers, 2 physicians, a pharmacist and a research chemist during the depression on a small farm consisting of a quarter section and 80 acres of tillable land. Dean graduated from Helena high school in 1957. He enjoyed sports and music in school and was the salutatorian of his graduating class. He attended the newly-named Oklahoma State University that fall and in his first year received the outstanding freshman award for physics and induction into the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society. He later served on the Student Senate from the College of Arts and Sciences. He was named to both the Dean’s Honor Roll and President’s Honor Roll during his time at OSU and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. After college he was admitted into the Baylor University College of Medicine. While at Baylor he served as president of his Junior class. He earned his MD degree in 1964, also receiving that year the award for significant contribution in pediatric research performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. While completing an internal medicine residency at St. Anthony hospital in Oklahoma City, Dr. Fetzer served in the Air Force Reserve as commander of the 479th Medical Service Flight at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, reaching the rank of captain before being honorably discharged in 1971. It was at St. Anthony hospital where Dean met his life partner, Nancy Sue Thompson. They were married on March 6, 1965. Their son, Jeffrey Chadwick was born at St. Anthony on December 24, 1967. After completion of residency training Dean’s family moved to Woodward, OK to practice medicine with his brother, Dr. Jack Fetzer. Their daughter, Trudi Susan, was born in Woodward on January 15, 1969. In February, 1969 the family moved to Shawnee, when Dean practiced Internal Medicine at the Shawnee Medical Center Clinic until 1999 when he retired from full-time practice. Dean continued to practice medicine part-time and as a volunteer until December, 2015. Dean enjoyed spending time with family, cheering for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and being involved in church life. He loved serving in the church and was active as a teacher, committee member, choir member and deacon whenever possible. He was thankful for the opportunity to be a part of God’s family at three churches during his adult years; University Baptist Church (Shawnee), the First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, and Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (Mustang). He was a kind and generous husband, father and friend that loved to laugh and encourage. Dean is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Tammy Fetzer of Lawton; a daughter and son-in-law, Trudi and William Lupton of Mustang; 7 Grandchildren – Josh Hileman of Oklahoma City, Kyle and Molly Vincent of Mustang; Jennifer, Abbie and Joe Lupton of Mustang; Jonathan Fetzer of Lawton; and one great-grandchild, Taylor Hileman of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Nina Fetzer of Lake Charles, LA, a sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Ben Hughes of Carmen, sister-in-law Norma Fetzer of Bethany, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Sue Thompson of Fort Smith, AR; mother-in-law, Trudie Mathies of Fort Smith, AR and numerous nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters Donna Packard, Ruth Ross, Mary Foster, Treca Moore and brothers Richard, Robert and Jack.