Larry Dean Gillett

Larry Dean Gillett,77, was born August 3, 1943 in Beloit, Kansas to Douglas and Marguerite (Thompson) Gillett and passed away September 30, 2020 at his twin sister, Sandra’s, home.

Larry was a 1961 graduate of Burr Oak High School. He attended Fort Hays State University and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in meteorology and a minor in business.

He enlisted with the Air Force on Oct 15, 1965 and was released with honors on June 4, 1969 at the rank of Sergeant E4 after serving our country in Vietnam. While serving in Vietnam, Larry was the meteorologist. Larry was so dedicated to his weather works, he stayed behind at Da Nang when everyone else left the camp because of a potential threat. Larry felt responsible for the pilot’s safety as they were very dependent on his weather reports. The camp was attacked, and much to everyone’s surprise, when arriving back the following day, Larry was still alive, but the rest of the camp had been completely destroyed. His “fox hole” was the only thing intact with Larry safely inside.

After Larry’s release he came back to Kansas and settled in Valley Falls where he worked as a carpet layer for a few years before returning to Burr Oak to work on the family farm where he continued his passion for meteorology. Larry started working for the National Weather Service on February 24, 1988. He earned many awards including the John Campanius Holm Award in 2008 and the Thomas Jefferson award in 2017, which are the highest awards anyone can earn.

Larry loved the Lord, his family and his community. He was a prime example of unconditional love.

Larry was a member of the United Methodist Church and the VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Louise Gillett.

Larry is survived by his twin sister, Sandra Franco (Dan), Burr Oak, KS; Older sister Marcia Litzenberger (Late Bob), Windsor, CA; Nieces: Cindy Wallace (Brian) and family, Hasting, NE, Sonya Gardner Harris (Guthrie) and family, Burr Oak, KS, Jill Cook, Kearney, NE, Danita Braun (Ty) and family, Concordia, KS, Rita Hatfield (Mark) and family, Fountain Inn, SC; Nephews: George Hennion (Hector), Mankato, KS, Robert Litzenberger (Beth) and family, Brady, NE, Randy Litzenberger (Stephanie) and family, Clinton, SC, Ron Litzenberger (Lianne) and family, Huntsville, AL, Russ Litzenberger and family, Windsor, CA; many, many great nieces and nephews; a lifelong friend, Marion Beldon, Burr Oak, KS and a host of family and friends.

Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, October 5, 2020 at the Burr Oak Methodist Church, Burr Oak, Kansas with Rev. Les Ellis, Pastor Tom Korb and Pastor Rod Rose officiating.  Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm ~ 8:00 pm Sunday, October 4, 2020 with family greeting friends from 6:00 pm ~ 8:00 pm at Melby Mortuary.

Interment will follow in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be given to the Larry Gillett Meteorologist Scholarship Fund in c/o Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, KS. 66956. Online condolences may be left at www.melbymortuary.com.