Oscar V. Larmer, age 99, of Manhattan, died February 17, 2024, at Meadowlark Hills Wroten House.
He was born July 11, 1924 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the third son of Carrie (Yard) Larmer and Burleigh “Burt” Larmer. Family activities included games and gardening. He was raised with strong neighborhood ties and lifelong friends. He attended Wichita public schools. Oscar served in World War Two in General Patton’s Third Army as it campaigned across France and Germany. He received a medical discharge in Spring of 1944. On December 31, 1945, he was united in marriage to Mary Arlene Duehring. They had known each other since childhood. A daughter and a son were born this union.
Oscar always had a passion for art and may be best known for painting the Flint Hills and its many seasons. He demonstrated talent at an early age. While in Wichita East High School, he received art scholarships to attend drawing classes taught by his mentor William Dickerson. Oscar attended Minneapolis School of Art and Design and graduated with Honors. He received a BFA in painting from the University of Kansas in 1949. He worked at Boeing in the Aircraft Illustration Department, while completing his MFA at Wichita State University. He later served as Assistant Art Director at Wichita Art Museum.
The family moved to Manhattan in 1956 to teach drawing and painting at Kansas State University. He served as Chair of the Art Department (1969-1971). Under his leadership, the department grew from 5 faculty members to 27 and began to offer accredited BFA and MFA degrees. Throughout his career, he enjoyed working with young artists and loved being a teacher. He always took great pride in his students and the quality work they produced. During his time at KSU, he was commissioned to design the school logo, the Presidential Medial, and the Centennial Medal. While he retired from KSU in 1989, he continued sharing his love art by teaching workshops and restoring paintings. Oscar cherished the natural beauty of eastern Kanas and tried to share this through his art and among his favorite views were Mouldin Creek, Eastside Tuttle Creek, Lavine’s Water Ranch, and Ranch Road South of Wamego.
He received numerous awards and accolades for his paintings. During his career, he had participated in 120 juried exhibitions and had 60 solo exhibits. His work is in the collections of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Kansas City, MO, the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University, and the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University as well as numerous corporate and private collections.
Oscar valued service and always gave of himself to others. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the board in 1956. In the 1960s, he painted biblical mural for its ED Center. Later, he painted dioramas and Christian inspired art for the Harris Temple.
In Manhattan, he was Master of the Lafayette Lodge #16 AF&AM. His paintings are still featured in the Lodge. He was of Lieutenant Governor of Bridfgefort Camp. He confirmed awards for service clubs. He was also active in scouting.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Lynn King of Manhattan, his son, Michael Vance Larmer and his wife Karen of Garden City, KS; five grandchildren: Rich King (Marcie Gilliland), Jason King (Becky Cheek-King), Seth King, Leanna Adams (Tim) and Nick Larmer (Kourtney); and seven great-grandchildren: Abby Dzwierzynski (Brendon), Ellory Gilliland-King (Josh Miller), Kelsey King, Crosby King, Hannah Adams, Josiah Adams and Grace Larmer. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his storytelling, and his joy for life.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 24th, at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverends Donna Voteau and Melanie Nord officiating. Private family inurnment will be in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Kansas State University for the Oscar Larmer Scholarship Fund, the First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.