Larry Parsons Senseney

Larry Parsons Senseney

Larry Parsons Senseney

08/29/1935 – 10/24/2021

Larry Parsons Senseney died peacefully in Palmer, Alaska, on October 24, 2021, from complications of Covid 19. Born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky on August 29, 1935, to Lowrey and Olga Senseney, Larry was raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. Being a little scrapper, he was nick-named “Jack”, after Jack Dempsy. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Austin Peay State University on a football scholarship, until joining the Air Force in 1954. He was stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, where he met Jo Phillips on a blind date and they married in 1955. Soon after, Larry was hand-picked for Special Mission, Operation Flying Brothers.

After they moved to Itazuke AFB, Japan, the Senseney’s welcomed their son, Jackson Lowry in 1961. Here, Larry specialized in Aircraft Maintenance and Instrument Tech, and enjoyed playing football as offensive lineman for the Airforce. While playing football, he sustained a traumatic brain injury, eventually leading to Epilepsy, which he bravely endured for the rest of his life. Larry also completed his first tour of duty in Vietnam as a Military Advisor while in Japan. In 1963, the Senseney’s were assigned to Edwards AFB, where Larry was so proud to work on the Saturn Rocket Engines for the Apollo Space Program. In 1964, their daughter, Mandy Jo was born, and in 1967, Larry served his second tour of duty in Vietnam,

In 1969, the family relocated to Elmendorf AFB, where Larry managed the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL), and traveled Alaska, servicing White Alice Communication System sites. He received many medals and decorations while in the military, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Award, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star; he was honorably discharged as Senior Master Sergeant in 1977. Larry then began his job with Alyeska Pipeline, supervising Pump Station 10, thrilling to be present for First Oil; he later worked in the Training Department in Anchorage until retirement. He then became a dedicated volunteer at the Alaska Veterans Administration, giving over 20 years of support to the Armed Forces. In 2017, he moved from Anchorage to the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer, where he was truly happy.

Throughout his life, Larry loved people of all races and religions, and remained dedicated to his loved ones and his “Gang” of extended family and friends. He loved being a grandfather and was Grandpa Larry to so many young people. He endeavored to make people smile and feel loved, and though he dealt with epilepsy and chronic pain on a daily basis, Larry kept a smile on his face, working hard at “enjoying life.” When he made his home in Palmer, he got a set of bongos, joining in whenever asked by musicians playing at the Pioneer Home. And he loved to dance; he is known from Tennessee to Talkeetna, AK as the “Dancing Machine”. He also enjoyed fancy espresso coffees, to the point where a local coffee shop named a drink,” The Larry Senseney.” He would often drive his red be-flagged scooter to the coffee stand, returning home with the basket full of coffees for workers and friends. Larry was very outgoing and will be remembered for his devotion to family, his generous heart, mischievous smile, infectious laugh and his love of God.

In his immediate family, Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Harold and wife Virginia Senseney, sister and husband, Beverly Rose and Ray Baker, brother-in-law Robert Phillips, niece Mona Lisa and nephew Phillip Bellah. He is survived by his son, Jackson and wife, Kayce Senseney, daughter Mandy Jo and husband, Jerry Hartley, grandchildren, Heidi Jo and husband Andy Lean, Jacob and wife, Annelise Hartley, Elijah Hartley, Emily Hartley, Bernadette Hartley, great grandchildren, Clara Jo and Nora Lean. Jo and Jack McCarl, niece Sandra and husband Ricky Walker, nephew Stevie Senseney and family, niece Brenda Senseney, nephew Fred Phillips and family, sister-in-law Adrianna and husband Bob Bellah and family, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida, and his Alaska “Gang”.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 13, 2021, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home, 6901 E. Lupine Dr., Palmer Alaska. Mr. Senseney will be laid to rest with military full honors at Fort Rich National Cemetery, Monday, November 15, 2021.

In Lieu of Flowers, please donate to the:

Alaskan Veterans and Pioneer Home

Attn: Grandpa Larry Music Fund

250 E. Fireweed Ave.

Palmer, AK 99645

907 745-4241