Larry Ross Pickens was born August 4, 1956 in Thomas, Oklahoma to Ross and Henrietta Pickens. Larry attended Thomas High School where he was active in football, basketball, and track. He was also senior class president. He graduated from Thomas High in 1974. Larry then attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. While at Southwestern Larry met a tall, beautiful young lady who became his best friend, Ruth. They remained best friends for a year until he finally asked her on a date, three months later they were married. December 28th, 1978 Larry married the love of his life. Together Ruth and Larry taught and coached at several different schools throughout Oklahoma. They welcomed their first son in 1983, then twin boys in 1987.

After Larry and Ruth graduated from Southwestern Eddie Royalty gave them their first coaching jobs in Beaver, OK in 1979. In Beaver Larry was Assistant Track Coach, and Assistant Football Coach until 1982. After leaving Beaver Larry went to Elk City where he was the Junior High Athletic Director, Junior High Football, and Track Coach for 1 year. After that he started coaching at Weatherford High School in 1984 where he was Field Event Coach for 10 years and the Defensive Coordinator for 8 years until he accepted the High School Head Football Coach position there. He served as the Head Coach for 2 years before returning home to Thomas in 1995. From 1995 to 2002 Larry was the High School Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Football Coach, then in 2003 he accepted the Head Coach position and remained until 2010. For all 10 years in Thomas he was the Head Track Coach. He coached all three of his sons in track and football all throughout their entire school careers in Thomas. Larry then went back to Elk City where he was Head Track Coach and Special Teams Coach until he retired in 2012.

In 33 years, he was on football coaching staffs that won 3 State Championships. During his tenure in Thomas he led his track teams to 2 State Championships, and one runner-up.

After retiring from coaching Larry worked fulltime at Wheeler Brothers spending his days with one of his best friends, Bert Godwin, until his death.
Larry enjoyed coaching his players throughout the years so much but spending time with his family was really his favorite thing to do. Summers in Red River teaching his boys how to fish, hunting, watching his grandsons play sports, giving his daughter-in-law a hard time, and being an unbelievable husband is what he enjoyed most in his life.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Henrietta Pickens.

He leaves behind a beloved wife, Ruth just shy of 41 years; three son, John and wife Kelsey of Sayre, OK, Cole of Leedey, OK, Kelly of Thomas, OK; two grandsons Jagger and Jax; and one brother, John of Thomas, OK.