Obituary of Tjarks, Larry P.

Tjarks, Larry Larry Tjarks was born in Inland, Nebraska in January 1939. He worked alongside his father Henry, mother Emma, and sister Nadine on the family farm near Hastings, Nebraska.He graduated with a BA in Physics and Math from Hastings College in 1960. His senior year he won the Bronco Award, voted on by students and faculty and given to the graduating senior who contributed most to the campus community. He went on to get an MA and PhD in English at the University of Nebraska and a Master's in Library Science from NYU at Albany. He traveled the country, teaching English Literature at various colleges including Baruch College (New York City), Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa), the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) and Texas Tech (Lubbock). Eventually, he settled in Dallas to raise a family. He never forgot his roots in the classroom, teaching at Dallas Independent School District and Dallas County Community Colleges District for over 15 years. Active in the community, he was a member of both the First Unitarian Church of Dallas and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He shared his love of tennis, poetry, and jazz with many, but those who knew Larry best remember him for his generosity and strength of spirit. After a long battle with Parkinson's, he passed away with his family by his side on the morning of July 27th. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Bernadette, son Jonathan, niece Nadine Devoss and her family, and many cousins including Steve Ocker, Sharon Rowe, and Jackie Jensen. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church in W. Kiest Boulevard, Dallas on Saturday, August 8th at 11 AM. North Dallas Funeral Home 972-241-9100