Donald Ray Larkin

December 29, 1954 - October 24, 2024

Donald Ray Larkin, 69, passed away October 24, 2024, in Casa Grande.  He was born December 29, 1954.

 The most important things in his life were his faith, his family, and music. 

He was married to his beloved wife, Patti, for 35 years until she passed. He lived up to his goal of being a provider for his family, working for about 20 years as a transmission mechanic. He worked for many years with his brother, Steve Larkin, who owned a Volkswagen business called Southern Volks in Texas.  Once his back injury prevented manual labor, he went back to school for computer technology and started his own website business. 

For all who knew him, his name was famous for his country music. He was a member of a band with his siblings when they were just teens, then several other bands throughout his life. They played live at many venues including the Silver Saddle in Dallas, TX. He even appeared on television playing his music. He wrote many original songs that live on in our hearts. Up until his last days, he met regularly with his music buddies and even with his sister Fran to sing and play. 

In one of his last prayers with his family, he thanked God for giving him such wonderful faith, family, and music. 

Donald is preceded in death by his wife Patricia Ann Larkin; his twin brother Ronald Larkin; his father Kenneth Larkin; his mother Lois Fields and stepfather M.J. Fields.

He is survived by his children Sharlena Larkin Topolski, Sherry Rene Larkin, and Shamar Irene Larkin; his siblings Fran Leddy and Mark Larkin; his stepsiblings Jim Fields, Tracy Fields, and Billie Johnson and 3 grandchildren and My Dog Lady, because it’s a timeless classic that will live forever in our memories. Yes, indeed he was a Lucky Man. Of all the memories, those Summer Memories will be the most cherished. 

Raise a glass to Donald Larkin, but once it’s drained get ready… Because My Glass Ain’t Right Side Up Til it's Upside Down.

You might be blue to hear the news, but don’t be – because where he’s at in heaven, Nothing is Blue… and Skies are Green. 

We know for certain that when he got to heaven, God greeted him with the same words he wrote for his sister's wedding, words which are true also for his own marriage and truer than ever for the day he met Jesus: Today is the First Day of the Rest of Our Lives.

There will be a Memorial Service on October 30, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass at 6:00pm.