of Mountain Home, AR

July 11, 1945 - October 5, 2022

Larry Neal Haskins, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the age of 77. He leaves behind a legacy of love, leadership, service, and mentorship.

Larry did not merely spend his life-he invested it. A stranger to no one, Larry found great purpose in sharing in the successes, joys, and challenges of those around him. His charming personality, relatable demeanor, and magnetic energy attracted many friends and admirers, but it was his generous spirit and faith in others that endeared him to so many people during his life.

He was born on July 11, 1945, in Enid, Oklahoma, to the late Emily Helen Palecek and James Weldon ''J.W.'' Haskins. After graduating from Enid High School in 1963, Larry enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of seventeen. He proudly served as a surface sonar technician for three years during the Vietnam War, earned the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

After he was honorably discharged in 1966, Larry returned to Enid to attend Phillips University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. Upon completing his education, he launched his career in electronic sales with NCR Corporation (previously known as National Cash Register). He transitioned to insurance sales shortly thereafter, joining the Christian County Farm Bureau in Missouri in 1973. He then moved to Mountain Home in 1975 to assume the role of Agency Manager of the Baxter County Farm Bureau. Pressing far past the normal retirement age, he held this position until his death nearly fifty years later.

Larry was not merely successful in the insurance sales industry. He thrived. He was dedicated, passionate, and engaged with his customers. He received countless personal and agency leadership awards in recognition of his exemplary performance in selling and servicing all lines in the insurance industry. Before running out of wall space in his office, he was able to display more than fifty-eight separate individual volume-based awards between 1975 and 2012, more than thirty-seven honors for Agency of the Month between 1981 and 2012, and an award for Arkansas Farm Bureau Agency of the Year in 2012.

Despite his many individual accolades, a lasting part of Larry's impact is how he encouraged and guided others through their own careers in the insurance industry. Although he took pride in his own successes, he never forgot his humble beginnings and it was deeply important to him to ensure that those close to him had the same chance to succeed as he did. In 1989, he founded the North Arkansas Association of Life Underwriters, a nonprofit organization designed to improve the work of agents and underwriters through seminars, conferences and other educational programs. He also received numerous awards over the years from the Life Underwriters Training Council for his sterling leadership in the field of life underwriter education.

Following the loss of his twin sister, he channeled personal tragedy into a passion for public safety. He served as a part-time auxiliary/reserve officer with the Baxter County Sherriff's Office from 1981 to 2002, and as a part-time reserve officer with the Mountain Home Police Department from 2002 to 2013. In recognition of his dedicated service, he was honored as the Reserve Officer of the Year in 2007. Although it pained him to do so, he nobly retired from the Mountain Home Police Department in November of 2013 after he became concerned that his personal health struggles could potentially compromise the safety of the public he dutifully sought to protect or his fellow officers.

Larry was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Mountain Home, where he led many to the Lord by teaching an adult Sunday school class for several years and serving as a Director of the Upward Basketball program from 1997 to 2002.

Larry was an avid fisherman who enjoyed spending quality time on the local lakes and rivers with friends and especially his sons. He was a captivating storyteller, and in true fisherman spirit, he was more than happy to recount memories of his favorite trips to anyone who would listen. Of course, he also had plenty of tall tales about the big ones that got away. He loved all sports, having played basketball in high school and rising to prominence as a ping-pong champion during his time in the Navy. Later in life, he enjoyed watching college and professional sports, including golf, tennis, basketball, football and NASCAR. He regularly found himself taking a genuine interest in the teams his people cared about, a further testament to his selfless spirit. Most recently, he enjoyed building and rebuilding huge block towers for his grandson to promptly knock down.

Larry possessed so many fine qualities, chief among them being integrity, reliability, compassion, respectfulness, loyalty, authenticity, dignity, and humility. Perhaps his finest qualities, however, were his extraordinary work ethic and complete devotion to serving others, both of which transcended every aspect of his life. Acts of service were his love language, and he was truly happiest when he was doing something for others.

He was serious and disciplined, but he also had an incredible sense of humor. His smile and laugh were infectious, and his twinkling blue eyes could light up any room. He frequently joked that he only worked half days-from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.-but the truth is that he was never off-the-clock. He would always take the call, no matter the time, no matter the circumstances, and no matter the voice on the other end of the line. His most recent call was no exception. When his time came, he bravely and obediently answered God's call. His passing is a great loss to his family, friends, and the community to which he dedicated his life. His family will forever remember him as a loving man whose faith, kindness and personal strength will eternally guide them through the darkest nights and brightest days. He was loved so dearly and will be deeply missed.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Emily Helen Palecek Haskins and James Weldon Haskins; his twin sister, Kay Ilene Collins; his eldest sister, Janice Nadine Songer; and his beloved aunt and mother's twin sister, Lily Elizabeth Palecek.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Brenda Joy Haskins; five children: son, Chad Neal Haskins, and wife, Amy; daughter, Amy Suzanne Baker; daughter, Stacy Lynn Haskins; daughter, Ashley Lorrin Gill, and husband, Page; and son, Todd Regan Haskins; one step-daughter, A. Chantal Cramer, and husband, Jason; six grandsons: Austin Neal Baker, Isaac Joseph Baker, Logan Neal Haskins, Evan Wayne Haskins, Marion Beckett Gill, and Porter Lockard Gill; one brother-in-law, Richard Songer; his Farm Bureau family; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Larry's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Christ Community Church, 1605 Highway 201 North, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653. The family will receive friends and loved ones before the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Larry's name be made to Happy Hill Farm, 3846 North Highway 144, Granbury, Texas 76048, a nonprofit organization whose vision is to educate, train, and inspire children from all backgrounds to reach their God-given potential and become leaders with character and integrity. Alternatively, you could volunteer for your favorite local charity in an effort to continue Larry's legacy.

Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com