Larry Henderson Essman, 81 of Rector, peacefully passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023, at his home in Rector after a two-and-ahalf- year battle with cancer. Larry was born May 6, 1941 to the late William and Lucy (Huckabay) Essman. He was a graduate of Rector High School. He was a lifelong resident of Rector. He and his wife Betty (Randleman) recently celebrated 60 years of marriage He is survived by his wife Betty, son Danny Essman of Rector, a granddaughter Kaitlyn Essman Sitz (Jackson) of Jonesboro and numerous relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Josie Denise Essman in 1985 and sisters: Patsy Reynolds and Carolyn Essman Larry was a soybean, corn, rice, cotton, milo and cattle farmer based in Boydsville, Rector and Hargraves communities from 1968 to 2020. He served on the Central Clay Drainage District for 36 years, the Cache River Drainage District for 21 years, and the Farm Service Agency for 23 years. Larry’s hobbies were going to farm auction sales and restoring antique tractors. He had the

Larry Henderson Essman feature antique tractor at the Corning Harvest Festival in 2018 and drove that tractor and homemade cart in the Labor Day parade annually. He enjoyed giving free rides to children and adults at events at the Rector Labor Day Park and at Parker Homestead.

After retirement he and Betty took a number of trips on their trike motorcycle to old tractor shows, especially up in Illinois.

Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at Irby-Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector followed by the funeral at 1 p.m. Burial followed in Woodland Heights Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

You may sign the online condolence book at www.irbyfuenralhome.com