Larry Dwayne Rayburn

December 9, 1959 - November 1, 2015

Larry D Rayburn, age 55, died suddenly on November 1, 2015, in Madisonville, TX. Larry Rayburn is survived by his two children, Emily Rayburn, of Austin, TX and his son Samuel Rayburn, of San Marcos, TX. He is also survived by his mother and step-father Joe and Ginger Miller, of Madison County, and father Bobby Rayburn of Lockhart, Texas; and his fiancé Gail Skinner, of Madison County, as well as stepbrother Randy Miller and his wife Susie of Madison County, stepbrother Dan Miller and his wife Karen of Burnet, TX, stepsister Karen Kallen of Hellsburg, California, and uncle Tom Swearingen and his wife Brenda. He is preceded in death by his brother, Gary Wayne Rayburn, of Houston, Texas. Larry was born in Beaumont, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas with a Master’s degree in Education, and a Master’s degree in Emergency Management from American Military University, in Manassas, Virginia. He worked for various departments for the State of Texas, retiring from Texas Department of Transportation. He moved to Madison County in 2014, where he reconnected and became engaged to Gail Skinner. He started work at Brazos County COG as an investigator. Larry was a great family man and a loving father, active with his son’s Boy Scouts and college rugby team, and very supportive of his daughter’s art career. Larry was a dedicated Texas Army National Guard member, retiring from the military after 32 years of service as a Command Sergeant Major. He was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 36th Infantry Division. He went to Afghanistan with the 141st Infantry Division of Laredo, Texas. He also served with the 49th Armor Division, starting his military career with Co G of the 143rd Infantry in Houston, Texas. He received the highest military honor in the Texas Army National Guard, the Lone Star Medal of Valor. He also received a Bronze Star Medal, The Legion of Merit, the Texas Combat Service Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Ribbon, as well as his Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and his Pathfinder Badge. His family and friends will always remember him as a proud and loving family man. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m. at the Kimbro Center in Madisonville, Texas, with Army Chaplain Don Breland officiating. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry’s life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Camp Hope Foundation of America. Internment will be at a later date in Austin, Texas.