PINEVILLE, La. -- Lt. Larry D. Platt, 84, of Pineville, formerly of Granbury, Texas, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Grace Home in Alexandria, Louisiana.
The youngest of three sons, Larry was born April 6, 1933, in Ava, Missouri, to Harvey Harold and Ethel Mae Spurlock Platt.
After his 1951 graduation from Cape Girardeau Central High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While serving in post-war Korea, he met the love of his life, Jin Ok "Sue" Choi. They were married Nov. 25, 1955, in Seoul, Korea. Three daughters were born to their union, and they had been married 61 years when Sue passed away Dec. 9, 2016.
The Platts lived all over the world during Larry's 23-year Navy career. Laura and Gina were born in Korea, and Donna was born in Charleston, South Carolina, while Larry served on a mine sweeper off the eastern coast.
He then served as a Naval attache to the French embassy in Paris, returning to attend Officer Supply School in Athens, Georgia, during which time Sue earned her cosmetology license while she and the girls resided with family in Jackson.
After successful completion of officer school, Larry was stationed on the USS Montrose. The girls have fond memories of watching their dad arrive and depart from the 32nd Street Naval Station in San Diego.
Larry then was transferred to the Norfolk Naval Ship Yard in Chesapeake, Virginia, serving as officer in charge of the Portsmouth Naval Commissary.
In 1971, they returned to Korea, where he served as Officer of Transportation on Hialeah Army Base, retiring as a lieutenant in 1974.
Larry and Sue remained in Korea, and he worked for the nuclear division of Westinghouse at the Kori Nuclear Plant in Pusan. Their final overseas home was in the Philippines, where he oversaw the housing division for Westinghouse employees.
They returned to Pittsburgh, and Larry continued his employment with Westinghouse headquarters.
Upon moving to Granbury, Texas, he worked at the nearby Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Station in Glen Rose, Texas, retiring in 1992.
He often referred to his military career as the best time of his life, and he loved to reminisce about naval maneuvers in the Mediterranean. He was a quiet, no-frills person who enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing if time permitted.
Dearly loved by his family, they remember him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed greatly.
To cherish his memory, Larry leaves three daughters, Laura DeCillis of Irmo, South Carolina, Gina (Gary) Litzler of Pineville and Donna (Jon) Hoff of Canon City, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Brian, Denise, Jennifer, Jessica, Pam, Ryan, Lacey and Sara; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; two brothers, Harold (Colleen) Platt and Gerald Platt (former wife, June Platt-Engel); and his parents.
Visitation will be from 10:15 a.m. to service time Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.
Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.
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