On April 4, 2026, Larry Eugene Corbett, age 84, passed away unexpectedly.
Larry was born in Lauratown, Arkansas, on December 17, 1941, just ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, HI, which signaled the entry of the U.S. into World War II. He was born to Herbert Woods Corbett and Cleney Fae Waddell Corbett.
Larry attended the Alicia elementary school, graduated from Walnut Ridge High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Arkansas State College, Jonesboro, in 1963. While attending ASC, he was active in the ROTC, Pershing Rifles, and Baptist Student Union.
Larry was united in marriage at age 21 to Loretta Ann Williams, age 17, on 2 Nov 1963 at the First Baptist Church, Alicia, AR
Following college, Larry was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, TX, and San Vito dei Normanni Air Station, Brindisi, Italy, spending a total of 6 years in the Air Force and achieving the rank of Captain. During this final posting, he was also a member of a record-holding softball team, where the Officers vs the Enlisted played non-stop for 122 hours, 452 innings, and a score of 422 to 658 run.
While stationed in Del Rio, TX, two children arrived: Monetta Lyn Corbett and Larry David Corbett.
Following an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Larry and family spent a full month touring Europe in a 1960s Chevy Impala, and returning to Lawrence County and their hometown of Alicia, where he joined his parents Herbert and Cleney, as well as his younger brother Stanley, on the farm, and with whom he continued until his father’s retirement, at which time the two brothers separated the operation with Larry incorporating as “Corbett Farms Inc”. In his role as farmer, Larry was one of several farmers from at least three states who in the late 1970’s Nixon administration, made multiple trips to Washington DC to successfully lobby the U.S. Congress and Sec. of Agriculture Earl Butz to abolish the rice allotment system which enabled any farmer to plant as much rice as they chose, the same as any other crop, and which directly led to Arkansas becoming one of, if not the leading rice producing state in the U.S. Many of the documents retained by Larry of this effort and trips were then donated to the museum at what was by that time, Arkansas State University.
Larry also served as Mayor of Alicia for many years, where he was successful in gaining grants for an updated wastewater treatment system, a new fire station (1984), a fire engine, and protective gear, including the department’s first Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, among other achievements, as well as a Justice of the Peace in the early 2000’s. He also served for over 20 years on the Alicia Vol. Fire Dept.
Larry was ordained a Deacon in the Southern Baptist Church, serving both at the Alicia Baptist Church and Walnut Ridge First Baptist Church. Other posts included: Sunday School Director, Church Training Director, and Treasurer.
Larry ran for the Arkansas State House of Representatives as a Republican in 2004
Larry was an avid sports player and fan, being especially a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, ASU Indians / Redwolves, and, of late, the Memphis Grizzlies.
He was known to have a sense of humor best illustrated by comments such as “you know I’m on the level, as my bubble is in the middle” while patting his stomach, or when asked his birthday, he would respond “Dec 17” and pause until asked what year, to complete the response with “so far every year”.
He is known to be a lover of sandwiches, especially bologna, pressed ham, or braunschweiger, as well as ice cream, chocolate gravy, and more.
Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and daughter, and is survived by his wife (Loretta), son (David), brother (Stanley), and multiple cousins and in-laws.
Funeral Service will be Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2 P.M. in the Bryan Funeral Home in Hoxie with Lloyd Clark officiating.
Pallbearers will be Rohnni Jo Bonds, Christopther Williams, Phillip Tolson, Kelly Waddel, and David Corbett. Honorary Pallbearers are Sarah Barnes and Demetra Kimbrough. Interment with Military Honors and a tribute from piper, Ty Damron, will follow the service at the Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 5 P.M. till 7 P.M. in the Bryan Chapel.