San Antonio Insurance Professional John Lary Kephart Dies at 86

Long time insurance professional John Lary Kephart, age 86, passed away May 9, 2006, at his home in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Amorita, Okla., on March 30, 1920, to the late John Hubert Kephart and Helen Josephine Lary. Lary was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific.

He earned his B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University and went directly into the insurance business. He sold his agency in Oklahoma in 1958 and became manager of the Richard Gill Insurance Agency in San Antonio, Texas. Lary retired from Richard Gill Companies in 1974 as the senior vice-president and established his own agency, Broadway Plaza Insurance Agency and remained active in the insurance business until his death.

Lary was an active member of the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church as head usher and member of the Administrative Board. He was a member of the Alzafar Shrine and active in many national, state and local insurance associations and was president of the Texas Chapter of Certified Insurance Counselors, as well as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio.

Lary’s true gift was serving children tirelessly in the pediatric clinic at Methodist’s Children’s Hospital where he was a member of the Auxiliary Board of Directors of the Blue Birds.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Wanda; daughter, Lary Jo; and sons, James; Mark; Tom and wife, Amy, San Antonio; Phil and wife, Debi, Austin; and Gunnar and wife, Barbara, Dallas; grandchildren, Ryan and Taylor Kephart; Johanna Kephart; Dawn and husband, Kerry Dean, Jr.; Heather and husband, Cole Hendrick; Alex and wife, Sabrina Kephart; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Henry; nephew, Joel and wife, Elizabeth Henry and their children, Brooks and Andrew; niece, Lari Jane Jackson and daughter, Laren.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. James R. O’Neill, Dr. Steven Kalter and the staff of VistaCare Hospice.