Larry Dean Brack, 61, beloved husband, father, papa/grandpa, cook,
accomplished hunter and fisherman gained his angel wings January 27,
2022 at Hays Medical Center, Hays Kansas. He passed away peacefully
surrounded by his loving family. Larry, known to most as “Old Man” and
“Swisher”, was born March 8, 1960 in Hays to Marvin Eugene and Norma
Jean (Scheck) Brack.
Larry was remembered most in grade school for handing out his
homemade cinnamon sticks (toothpicks) to mostly ensure everyone had
fresh breath throughout the day. In high school he worked after school
as a custodian, but his number one priority was spending time with his
best friend of 52 years Paul Begler, wetting a line. After school each
day Paul helped Larry quickly do his job so they could rush off to the
water. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1978.
Right after graduation Larry worked with Paul at The Dinner Bell as a
dishwasher. In 1980 he began working in the oilfield and welcomed his
first daughter, Erica, into the world, with his second daughter,
Melinda, following in 1981. After moving to Hill City in 1985, his only
son, the chosen one, Tyler Patrick (aka as TPB ~ Toilet Paper Boy) was
born.
His next journey led him to Hill City High School where he was a
custodian for several years and the infamous nickname “Swisher” was
coined. The name was born from the little red pack of Swisher Sweets
that accented his signature everyday look: a plain left pocketed
collared or T-shirt designed by the fashion line Fruit of the Loom, his
blue jeans sold exclusively at Walmart with his phone clipped on tight
and a pair of Brahma boots. Larry was known for his acts of kindness.
During his time as a custodian at the high school, he built a cabinet
for the Home Economics teacher to store scissors and other items “just
to be a good guy”.
For the next 27 years Larry worked as a Maintenance Supervisor at
Dawson Place. Early in his career at Dawson he met the love of his life,
his wife, Melissa Karns. Larry found a woman that not only made him
laugh, but one that would hunt and fish WITH him. Their romance quickly
flourished after their first date initiated by Melissa. She told Larry
that he was going to take her out for crab legs that evening and so he
did. They became inseparable and made things official by exchanging
their vows in 1995. Not only had Larry found his forever person, but he
had a new daughter, Elizabeth, who became his own! In 1996 he welcomed
his last daughter, Emily.
In the past Larry may have been found stuck in sink holes while
attempting to get to his deer stand, at the flea markets finding his
next treasure, fishing or in the kitchen showing his daughters how to
make fried chicken and sausage gravy.
Autumn was evident at the Brack house with the aroma of deer jerky
and deer carcasses hanging in the garage. A bag of deer jerky given to
you by Larry was like a bag of gold. You didn’t dare set it in any
visible place in his house or it was likely to disappear. Larry would
say that his family was a bunch of “Jerkyholics”. He loved watching
cartoons, with Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, and Sponge Bob Square
Pants at the top of his list. He took extreme pride in his eight
grandchildren and quickly told anyone getting after them, including
their own parents, to leave them alone. Larry liked four letter words as
much as he liked to wet a fishing line and as much as he hated snakes.
When his wife and children were asked to describe him in four words
there was a common theme, loving. Other words used to describe him were
ornery, kind, determined, funny, outdoorsman, gentleman, intelligent,
forgiving, resourceful, handyman, scavenger, compassionate, and
optimistic. Those that knew Larry would describe him as a giver not a
taker, as one of the biggest personalities in a room full of people and
that he was always up for being silly.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his dog Boomer. He is
survived by his wife of the home; his five children: Erica Lynn Brack
Bammes and husband Shawn, of Manhattan, Melinda Kay Brack Robbins and
significant other Greg Wege of Manhattan, Tyler Patrick Brack and
significant other McKenzie of Hill City, Elizabeth Selby Brack of Hays,
and Emily Renee Brack and significant other Lane Chestnut of Hill City;
eight grandchildren: Blaisen David Bammes, Brenna Kimberly Bammes,
Brecken Fynn Robbins, Layton Dean Robbins, Briley Faye Brack, Brogan
Seth Bammes, Axen Dean Brack, and Journilynn Mae Brack and four
siblings: Roger Dale Brack and wife Maxine, Marilyn Ann Brack Dinkel and
husband Mark, Robert Allen Brack, and Rose Marie Brack Smilie and
significant other Paul Begler. Although we mourn Larry’s death, he will
remain in our hearts forever.
Click HERE for service details.