Our Oahe Speedway Racing Family will be short
a member when we begin our 2020 racing season.
Larry Marchant was a fixture in the O’Connor Racing pit.
Always a smile and a kind word
from this gentle man, never passing up the chance
for a greeting, a handshake and a laugh.
Larry E. Marchant
March 28, 1947 – March 31, 2020
Larry Earl Marchant, 73, of Rapid City, SD passed away peacefully on March 31, 2020 at Advanced Health Care in Billings, MT.
Larry was born to Verna and Leonard Marchant on March 28, 1947 in Chadron, NE. His family soon moved to Hot Springs, SD where Larry grew up making lifelong friends. He joined the United States Army in the fall of 1964 where he obtained his GED. Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army on March 16, 1967, Larry returned to Hot Springs, SD and took a job with Schott’s Chevrolet. Within a year he met his soon to be wife, Linda Kathryn Scott, and began working as a Nursing Assistant at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Hot Springs, SD. On October 4, 1968 Larry and Linda were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Smithwick, SD. In September of 1970 they moved to Chadron, NE where Larry obtained his teaching degree at Chadron State College. In October of 1971 their daughter, Sherri was born. In August of 1974 the family moved to Mission, SD where Larry taught school until May of 1975. This was followed by a move back to Hot Springs, SD where Larry began his lengthy career with the Veterans Administration Hospital. In June of 1975 their son, Scott was born. In February of 1980 the family began their travels with the VA. Locations include Denver, CO; Wichita, KS; Canandaigua, NY; and finally, Sheridan, WY where they remained for twenty years. Larry retired from the VA as Chief of Volunteer Service and Public Affairs in 1995. During Larry’s retirement years he worked for Cosner Construction and O’Reilly Auto Parts. In 2004 Larry and Linda moved to Rapid City, SD.
Larry enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, sitting around a campfire with family and friends, working on the pheasant farm, watching his grandchildren play sports, and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was also an avid “car guy” developing great friendships with those who shared the same passion for cars and racing. He kept up with the news and weather, all the while laughing and loving life. Larry was a proud solider, 53-year member of the American Legion and lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans. He loved his family, friends, and country.
Larry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Kathryn Marchant; son, Scott Marchant and grandchildren, Jordyn and Andrew Marchant, all of Rapid City, SD; daughter, Sherri Pangus and son-in-law, Jesse Pangus of Cheyenne, WY; sister, Carolyn Marchant; brothers-in-law, Ed (Linda) Scott and Randy (Linda) Scott; nieces, Shanna Salmon and Tamra Neville; nephews, Bradley Scott, Justin (Kylea) Scott, Matthew (Terry Ann) Scott and Jacob (Devin) Scott.
A private family memorial service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2020. A celebration of life will take place sometime in the summer of 2020.
