Class of 1979
1979 Maroon Spotlight
Larry Beisel
Football 75-79, Football Co-Captain 78, All District Football, Wresting 76-79, Wrestling Co-Captain 79, Baseball 75-79, OSU Honor Banquet 77-78, Boys State 78, Fellowship of Christian Athletes 76-79, Future Teachers of America 76-78, National Honor Society 76-79, Oklahoma Honor Society 76-79, Who’s Who 77-79.
1979 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Attending the United States Military Academy at West Point is in the immediate future of Larry Dale Beisel, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil A. Beisel. Larry, a member of the First Christian church lives with his parents and brothers at 311 Holly street. He was born July 27, 1961. He has participated in football 1970-79, wrestling 1970-79, and baseball 1975-79. He was named to the National Honor Society 1976-79 and the Oklahoma Honor Society 1978. He served as football co-captain 1978-79, wrestling co-captain 1978-79, junior class secretary 1977-78, was named state wrestling champion 1979, and received honorable mention in all-state football and wrestling 1978-79. Physics is listed as his favorite subject while riflery and archery top Larry’s list of hobbies.
Larry Dale Beisel
July 27, 1961 – May 2, 2021
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Larry Beisel passed away at his home in Ruther Glen, Virginia, on May 2, 2021.
Larry was born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, where he developed a passion for Perry Maroon sports and was a state champion wrestler in addition to playing football and baseball. After graduating from Perry High School in 1979, Larry chose to attend the United States Military Academy West Point and become an officer in the US Army.
Larry was an exemplary cadet who represented the US Army on the football field and on the wrestling mat before graduating in 1983. Though he was invited to try out for the 1984 US Olympic Wrestling Team, he chose to fulfill his lifelong dream of serving his country. His military service took him all over the globe and he proudly served his country for more than 30 years. He spoke seven languages, negotiated international defense treaties and represented the United States government as a Foreign Area Officer and Defense Attache. He served overseas in West Berlin, Russia, Lithuania, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Hoppe), daughter Kaitlyn Dale Beisel, two grandchildren and his brothers Cecil “Woody” and Mark Beisel. He is reunited in death with his son, William Weston Beisel, his parents Cecil and Ann Beisel, and his brother Richard “Colby” Beisel. His loss is mourned by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, classmates and fellow service members.
Larry will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, in the shadow of the capital of the nation he loved so deeply and to which he devoted his life. A celebration of life will be held for Larry in Perry, Okla. at the First Baptist Church (601 North 7th St.) at 2 p.m. on May 22, 2021. Another service will be held for Larry in Abingdon, Md., at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (1450 Abingdon Rd.) at 10:00 a.m. on June 5, 2021.