Larry B. Funderburk

Larry Bryce Funderburk, B.A. ’61, J.D. ’62, lived a remarkable life of great industry, generosity and adventure. A devoted husband, steadfast father, tremendous mentor to many and faithful friend to even more, he served his country with distinction, was a respected church leader, a superb teacher of scripture and was always a fine fishing companion.

Funderburk was born Feb. 28, 1939, in Kermit, TX, to Guy and Gertie Funderburk, and passed away peacefully at home Jan. 29. After graduating from Palestine High School, where he was elected student body president his senior year, Funderburk attended Baylor, serving as president of his service fraternity, earning a B.A., then attending and graduating from Baylor Law School. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1962, then served in the United States Marine Corps, most notably in Vietnam in the Marine Corps’ Judge Advocate Division.

On March 20, 1981, Funderburk wed Linda Kay Buckley, B.A. ’66, of Palestine, TX, to whom he would be happily married for almost 45 years. Upon their move to Houston, Funderburk returned as a partner at Funderburk & Funderburk, practicing there from 1976 until his retirement. Keenly skilled in the courtroom, every client he ever had was superbly well-represented. Throughout his six decades in practice, his unmatched work ethic, unquestioned integrity and straightforward approach to the law drew the trust not only of every judge and juror he ever appeared before, but every lawyer with whom he practiced.

As a leader at church, Funderburk brought a perceptive lawyer’s eye to teaching the Bible for over five decades. He served as the chair of South Main Baptist Church’s diaconate from 1994 to 1996. His dedication to the congregation was reflected in his being named a senior deacon and an honored deacon of the church, and he served as director of the South Main Foundation from 2003 to 2005.