Larry Burleson Christensen

Larry Burleson Christensen was born in Dallas, Texas on October 17, 1948 to parents Odin Douglas Christensen and Edna Raley Christensen, and went to be with his Lord on January 18, 2024 after an extended illness. He was reared in Garland, Texas and attended South Garland High School where he was among the first students to attend there when the school opened in 1964. He had two brothers, Douglas and Vernon.

He was married to the love of his life and soulmate, Connie Wilson Christensen, for 42 years. He had three wonderful children of whom he was so incredibly proud – Bryan Christensen, married to Valerie Christensen; Jill Christensen Thrasher, married to Tim Thrasher; and Jennifer Hardin-Christensen Clark, married to Michael Clark.

He had seven beautiful grandchildren each of whom he knew surely hung the moon and the stars. Spencer and Alexander Christensen, parents Bryan and Valerie; Keller, Jaeden and Janelle Thrasher, parents Tim and Jill; and Jordan and Zachary Clark, parents Michael and Jennifer.

Larry proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1969-1975 achieving the rank of Sergeant and was decorated with the Bronze Star medal for his heroic achievement in a combat zone. He served in the Vietnam Conflict from 1970-1971 in the 1st Signal Brigade, 39th Signal Battalion, 331st Signal Company, in Long Bin Post (Saigon, Vietnam). This is where his career as a communications engineer began. He was one of the most patriotic men his family and friends ever knew, and he loved his flag and country beyond measure.

Larry was a telecommunications engineer and retired in 2015 from Nortel/Ericsson in Richardson, Texas where he worked for 20 years. He was an entrepreneur and founded and sold three telecommunications corporations. He is listed in Who’s Who of American Inventors and holds four patents in telecommunications in his name.

Larry was a proud Texas Scottish Rite Mason and Hella Shriner and loved being a part of both organizations. He was Raised a Master Mason at his Mother Blue Lodge, Garland Lodge #441, AF&AM, in Garland, Texas, on March 21, 1974. He became Worshipful Master of Blue Lodge Claud L. Austin #1450, AF&AM, in Dallas, Texas, 2014-2015. He received his Scottish Rite 32nd Degree, Dallas Consistory, Valley of Dallas and the Orient of Texas, his KKCH Degree and the coveted Dallas Scottish Rite Meritorious Award. He was also part of the York Rite Bodies Chapter 451, RAM, Garland, Texas and Council 118, R&SM, Garland, Texas and a member of the Knights Templar, Alexander C. Garrett 103, Commandery of Texas. Larry also served on the Scottish Rite Cooking Team (which he loved) from 2009 until 2014.

Larry became a Hella Shriner in 1981 and was the Captain of the A-La-Karts, 1st Vice President of the Hella Clowns known as “Sputter,” Blood Drive Chairman, and the Hella East West Shrine Game Trip Coordinator for Potentate Bob Jensen in 2006, said trip having been hailed as “just an all-around great trip” that is still talked about to this day. He was the 2nd Ceremonial Master in 2006, was inducted into the Camel Herders in 2008 and was President of the North Collin County Shrine Club 2012-2014. He was presented with a Golden Trowel Award in 2004.

Larry was a Gift of Life Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Board Member from 2003-2006. He was responsible for conducting and coordinating many, many blood drives benefiting the Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas. One of those such blood drives being the most successful blood drive conducted by a single Gift of Life Board Member held at the Bass Pro Shop in Garland, Texas in 2006. He also set new standards for the Hella Shrine Blood Drives held at Hella Temple from 2002 – 2005.

In his last three years of life, he received countless units of blood and platelets. He and his wife, Connie, want to help replenish the blood and platelets he received, and a blood drive is being held in his memory and honor on March 2, 2024 at Film Alley at Crossroads, 750 American Way, Terrell, Texas (across Hwy 205 from Bucee’s on I-20). If you are able to donate blood, please come roll up your sleeve to honor him. This blood drive is being coordinated by his dear friend Jenny Berry-Woods through Carter Blood Care.

He was a Past Noble Grand of the Garland IOOF in 2020 where he and his wife, also a member, served with great pride helping the Garland Food Bank and Jonathan’s Place in Garland, Texas which provides a safe and loving home to children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect.

Larry was the recipient of the esteemed Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award that is awarded to individuals who have had contributions made in their name to the Rotary Foundation recognizing their outstanding community service. This generous contribution was made in Larry’s name by his brother-in-law and an outstanding Rotarian, Paul Wilson.

He and his wife are also active members of the Lone Star Treasure Hunters Club in Irving, Texas.

It is obvious to see that Larry loved to be active and to serve others. His first love was Jesus Christ who was his Lord and Savior through Whose Love he was taught to love and to serve.

Larry never met a stranger and was a great story and joke teller. If you ever met Larry, you left laughing and with a smile on your face. He loved playing with his kids their entire lives and he loved playing and loving on his precious grandchildren. He was a fantastic father, grandfather and husband. He was a man with unquestionable integrity and a patriot to his bones.

Larry was like his community’s “Pied Piper Grandfather.” Children were just drawn to him. It was never unusual to have from 2 to 10 children having ice cream parties in his garage or just playing in his yard or man cave with him teaching them how to do something. They called themselves “Mr. Larry’s Posse.” His love for children is also what made him an incredible Hella Shrine Clown who loved visiting children in both the Texas and Louisiana Shiners’ Hospitals and the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. He was also a circus clown and was generally just a fun guy! Everyone loved him.

Larry will be interned at the DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas with military honors in a private ceremony on February 8, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 8, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral located at 500 S. Harwood Street in Dallas, Texas for all of his friends and family to attend to enjoy one another in his honor. Please share this information with anyone who knew him or his family. Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood or platelets at the upcoming blood drive mentioned above or at any blood bank near you or making a donation to a charity of your choice in his honor.