Larry Gayle Koeninger

Larry ‘Gayle’ Koeninger, 73, of Midland, Texas passed away on October 26, 2022, in Odessa, Texas. Gayle was born January 2, 1949, in Memphis, Texas to Vada and Gene Koeninger. After graduating from Vega High School, the football standout attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was a member of the Tech Trampoline Team (who knew there was a trampoline team!) Always a natural athlete, Gayle lobed golf, hiking, and sky diving.

He loved to travel and enjoyed cruising. His ‘trip of a lifetime’ was a two-week transatlantic cruise, followed by a week visiting friends in England, and a few days in NYC! He also loved Costa Rica and hiking through the rainforest. He loved life.

Much of his career was spent with El Paso Natural Gas and that enabled him to live in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. While in Texas, he started volunteering with Midland Community Theater. He performed in many MCT productions, including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Evita,” “Christmas Carol,” and “Secret Garden.” Summer MumMers might have been his favorite show to do. He loved everything about it, especially the cast parties. And it was also where he met his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) in 1988. They were married on May 4, 1991, to the delight of Gayle’s daughter, Katharine (Kate). Kate currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Gayle is also survived by his sister, Dana Ferguson, of Amarillo, Texas. He also leaves behind a loving, extended family; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Stewart Sampson, of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; brother-in-law, Kevin Light and nephews, Montgomery Light and Cayden Light of Midland, Texas; sister-in-law, Marci Light and nephew, Shea, along with great nephews, Braxton and Bentley Light, all of Midland, Texas; and official member of our tribe, Pam Messer, also of Midland, Texas.

Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, Vada and Gene.

Gayle leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, love and laughter. It is the wish of the family that there be no funeral service. A memorial gathering of his friends and family will be held at Midland Community Theater on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 6:00 pm. The family also requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Midland Community Theater, 2000 W. Wadley Avenue, Midland, Texas. Or…just be nice to everyone, Gayle would love that!

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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