Roll Call Tribute

Lawrence Oliver "Larry" Robbins 

February 28, 1938 - January 11, 2025 

Larry Robbins passed away at his home in Boerne, Texas on January 11, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born in Raymondville, Texas, February 28, 1938, the only child of Mary Blackwell Robbins and L.O. Robbins. He graduated from Raymondville High School in 1956 and was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of 1960.

Larry leaves behind many loving family members & friends. He is survived by his wife “Penny,” his son & daughter in-law David & Melissa Robbins of Kerrville, TX; daughters and sons-in-law Jeananne & Scott Williams of Helotes, TX; Jennifer & John Truchard of Denver, CO; and by his grandchildren Kevin & Wendy Williams, Rachel Robbins, Travis Wantuck, Ben & Eli Truchard. Larry also left behind his dog, Scout, who is still looking for him to come home. He was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Wantuck of Midland, TX, his parents, his aunts Beulah, Virginia, & Marjorie, his uncle Henry, his beloved mother-in-law, and his dog Schatje. Other survivors include former son-in-law David Wantuck, niece Kerry Newman, nephew Kelby Pennington, his cousin Joyce, and longtime family friends Barbara & George Williams. Larry is also survived by granddogs KiKi & Kayla Robbins, Teddy & Winnie Truchard, as well as numerous old & new friends.

Larry loved the land & served as a good steward. He grew up in 4H, and helped pay for his college by growing cotton and working at the cotton press. At Texas A&M Larry studied Rural Sociology and Agricultural Economics with a future hope of becoming an agricultural missionary.

On June 4th, 1960, Larry married Barbara Pennington (Penny) at San Juan United Methodist Church (UMC). The two began their lives together in College Station, Texas before moving to O’Donnell where Larry worked as assistant manager of the Co-op Gin. Later they moved back to the Rio Grande Valley where he raised cotton, grain sorghum, potatoes, and a variety of vegetables like onions, spinach, and corn. He also built corrals and bred registered Charolais cattle.

Larry was active in the Rotary Club and the Willacy County Farm Bureau, serving as president of both. He actively supported his children in 4-H ventures, as they raised cows and pigs for the county fair.

After farming for 20 years, Larry entered Perkins School of Theology at SMU earning a master’s degree in theology. As a second career, Larry served as an associate minister at Laurel Heights UMC in San Antonio, and as senior pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Kerrville, Harper UMC, Travis Street UMC in La Grange, Three Rivers UMC, and also Llano & Blanco UMCs. When he retired he joined First United Methodist Church of Boerne, where he served part-time as a chaplain.

Upon retirement, Larry & Penny moved to Kendalia where he loved raising sheep & goats, giving his grandchildren rides on “the Gator,” and puttering on his tractor. Kendalia was his favorite homestead.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1p.m. at First United Methodist Church Boerne. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church in Boerne, Texas, 4-H, or the American Heart Association.