Larry Eugene Qualls, 77, of Durant, Okla., earned his Heavenly reward on November 10, 2022, and was greeted by the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Timothy 4:6-7 “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Larry, “Marathon Man” Qualls crossed the finish line peacefully and victoriously with family by his side. 
Larry was born to Thurman and Jennie Belle (Chaney) Qualls on October 30, 1945, in Madill, Okla. He attended Madill High School where he was a three-sport athlete, earning All-State Honorable Mention honors in football, basketball, and track. After graduation in 1964, he enlisted in the Navy to serve his country in the Vietnam War. He was on the very first crew of the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier supporting air strikes against North Vietnam. After his Honorable discharge in 1969, he attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He earned his Journeyman’s electrician License and then his contractor’s licenses in both electrical and HVAC. He founded Central Electric in 1972, leading as President and CEO for over 50 years. Under his direction, Central Electric helped build many of the buildings, churches, hospitals, schools and restaurants in Durant and southeastern Oklahoma.
Larry’s love for the Lord was evident in the many Sunday School classes he taught, the gusto with which he would sing “Victory in Jesus,” and the joy attending church services gave him. He served as a Deacon in the Northwest Church of Christ in Durant for many years and led the Benevolence Committee assisting needy families. He was one of the founders of the Durant Little League Football program in 1974, and a proud booster of Durant High athletics. Many will remember Larry as one of the best-known runners in the state. He was one of the very few runners to have completed every OKC Memorial Marathon since it began in 2001. He ran in eleven Boston Marathons and enjoyed traveling with friends and family all over the US for races. Larry loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Whether it was chasing the elk herd along the Continental Divide, striper fishing on Lake Texoma or camping in his beloved ‘deer woods’ of the Kiamichi Wilderness, Larry worshipped God and his creation during all these activities.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Jimmy; half-brothers, Buck, Joe and Jerry Knight and a half-sister, Betty Williford.
Survivors are his son, Shoney Qualls and his wife Kim of Noble, Okla.; daughters, Cherie Spencer and her husband Dwight of Sallisaw, Okla. and Allison Burris and her husband Darin of Celina, Texas and their mother, Karen Moss Qualls; seven grandchildren: Katherine Qualls Fay and husband Evan, Thomas Qualls and wife Jessica, Elizabeth Maechler and husband Daniel, Grant Spencer, Harrison Burris, Milana Burris and Isla Burris; cousin J.A. Chaney of Tecumseh, Okla.; and many other nephews and nieces.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Durant Church of Christ on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Shoney Qualls will officiate. Burial will be in Woodberry Forrest in Madill with Thomas Qualls, Dwight Spencer, Grant Spencer, Darin Burris, Harrison Burris, Evan Fay, J.A. Chaney, Daniel Maechler and Dean Phillips serving as pallbearers.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.
