Larry Derryberry
American politician (1939–2016)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry R. Derryberry (April 22, 1939 – November 19, 2016) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma from 1971 to 1979. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1963 to 1971.
David Boren
Larry Derryberry | |
|---|---|
| 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 11, 1971 – January 8, 1979 | |
| Governor | David Hall David Boren |
| Preceded by | G. T. Blankenship |
| Succeeded by | Jan Eric Cartwright |
| Speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – January 5, 1971 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 52nd district | |
| In office January 5, 1965 – January 5, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Howard Cotner |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the Jackson district | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 5, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Maurice Willis |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Larry R. Derryberry April 22, 1939 Altus, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 2016 (aged 77) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Gale Brazil (m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Willis Landrum Derryberry Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA) University of Oklahoma College of Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer |
Early life and education
Derryberry was born in Altus, Oklahoma, on April 22, 1939, to Willis Landrum Derryberry and Willene Faye Woodall Derryberry. He graduated from high school as salutatorian of his class.
Derryberry subsequently attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1961 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1963.[1]
Career
Derryberry was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives during his second year of law school. He served from 1963 to 1971 as a Democrat, representing the Jackson district from 1963 to 1965 and the 52nd legislative district of Oklahoma from 1965 to 1971.
During his time in office, Derryberry chaired the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting. He also served as both Assistant Majority Floor Leader and speaker pro tempore.
In 1970, Larry was elected the 11th Attorney General of Oklahoma, serving from 1971 to 1979. Following his tenure, Larry continued practicing law in Oklahoma City.[1]
Personal life and death
Legacy
A book about Derryberry, Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry, was written by historian Bob Burke and published by the Oklahoma Historical Society.[4]
