Larry Matt Demel, 86, known to most as Pop, passed away on January 31, 2022. He was born on September 14, 1935, to Anton and Margaret Demel of Pep, Texas.
After graduating high school in 1954, he joined the United States Navy in 1958. In 1962, while on leave visiting relatives, he met the LOVE of his life, Doris Dybala. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on December 8, 1962. While working as an aircraft mechanic, he was stationed at numerous places, including the USS Oriskany and the USS Lexington. He took his job seriously and was known as a conscientious and thorough mechanic. Safety was his priority.
The loving couple lived in numerous places and raised five children throughout his service. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977, and the family made Killeen their home. They also moved to the Grand Canyon area in AZ but returned to Killeen in 1997. After military retirement, he worked as an aircraft mechanic at Grand Canyon Airlines in AZ, Rio Airways in Killeen, Beech Aerospace, ACCI, and DynCorp at Fort Hood, TX. His second (and final) retirement was from DynCorp in 2004.
Pop is survived by his beloved wife, Doris Demel, and his five children: Martin Demel of Lampasas, TX; David Demel (Amy) of Harker Heights, TX; Chantelle Horner (Mathew) of Temple, TX; Donny Demel of Peoria, AZ, and Danny Demel of Chandler, AZ; his nine grandchildren: Lindsay (Steve), Ian, Madison, Damien (Jasmine), Bailey, Logan, Kianna, Colby, and Skyler; and his five great-grandchildren: Dylan, Ethan, Claire, Aella, and Damon.
Pop was known for many things throughout his life, but the best he was known for was his love for God, his family, and his country, which he served proudly! He was a beloved and devoted husband, father, and friend to all. He was generous-hearted and would do what was needed to ensure his family and friends had what they needed. He was young and liked to joke around with those he loved. He enjoyed bowling on a team with his oldest sons. Pop was a MASTER of the BBQ and would cook a brisket that would fall apart and melt in your mouth. He loved to do all the cooking, and nobody complained since everything he made was delicious!
Pop lived life to the fullest, with his loving wife by his side every step of the way. Hand-in-hand, they enjoyed doing everything together: attending church services; going on road trips; visiting family; frequenting local garage sales for fun and constantly negotiating the best price; hosting large BBQ gatherings with horseshoes and cornhole in the backyard, and playing Pop’s favorite, Texas Hold’em, after supper. With a twinkle in his eyes, Pop would play some of the worst hands (2 & 7 off-suit.. Gus Hanson would play that) and bluff his way into a win!
Pop did not know how to sit still, so he was always up to something. He loved to work with his hands, so you could generally find him doing something constructive: working on vehicles, refurbishing old benches and tables and making them into art pieces, rebuilding lawnmowers, etc. He maintained a vegetable garden for many years, and the family benefited by having the best-fried okra known to man! He enjoyed planting trees (too many trees, LOL) and would often enlist the help of grandkids and others to help lay grass sod again and again. He enjoyed riding his lawn mower and used it to ride around and supervise.
He returned the gift of musicianship that GOD gave him ten-fold. For many years, he played in the choirs at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killeen, TX, and St. Paul Chong Hasang Catholic Church in Harker Heights, TX. He was the one singing, playing his guitar and his harmonica. He never received formal training and always played by ear and did it well!
Pop had a stubborn streak, but it was put to the test these last eight months during his stay in the hospital. His fierce determination to improve constantly surprised the doctors since he was not ready to give up. His love of family kept him strong, and it wasn’t until God finally called him home that he conceded.
The Demel family would like to thank the staff at the Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in Round Rock and Baylor Scott & White Hospitals in Temple and Round Rock, who lovingly took care of Pop during those eight months.
Pop will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and especially his beloved wife, Doris.
Rest in Peace, Pop.
We will love you forever.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/killeen-tx/larry-demel-10568187
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