Larry K. Winchester

Larry Klenton Winchester, 79, of Paris, passed away on November 4, 2026, from cancer related to Agent Orange exposure during his military service in Vietnam.

February 20, 1947 – November 4, 2026

Larry was born February 20, 1947, in Paris, Tennessee, to Harry Klenton Winchester and Martha Elizabeth Matheny.

Larry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 1965, at just 18 years old, and served nearly nine years, rising to the rank of sergeant. He served in Vietnam in 1967, earning the Combat Action Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

His decorations also include the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His service took him from Vietnam to the Marine Barracks in Bermuda, Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Twentynine Palms. Along the way, he met and married his first wife, and his daughter Lauren was born. Larry was honorably discharged in June 1974.

After his discharge, he moved his family back to Paris, where he began work for the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at the water plant. He started working there December 28, 1975, and worked until his retirement February 28, 2011.

In 1986, he married Barbara Jean Hamilton and began a blended family with her and her daughter Joyce. Joyce gave him the gift of becoming a grandfather, which was something he was proud of. Then those babies grew up and gave him his great-grandkids and a full house to go with his full heart.

He was something of a fixture around Veterans Day celebrations, and if you saw him in the newspaper in the back row, his ears sure gave him away even if the photo quality wasn’t the best. Chances are you knew him on sight because he was tall and had red hair. Or it was because his truck had so many decals it looked like it fell out of a military ribbon catalog and picked up one of everything.

Larry was a Star Trek fan for life and a fan of every iteration of Star Trek. He was a fan from the very first season, which he watched on American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) while serving in Vietnam. That series started it all. He proudly collected everything he could get his hands on, from books to mugs and plates to ships. If they made it, he would likely buy one (or two!).

Heaven help you if you mentioned liking something. Larry would remember. Barbara loves hummingbirds, so he bought her every hummingbird-themed item he came across. He assumed your love of something was just as strong as his love for Star Trek and gifted you things accordingly.

He also enjoyed playing mini golf when he visited Lauren in Wisconsin. For about a decade, they kept a running score in their friendly rivalry—and, of course, now he’ll always be ahead by 4 strokes.

And who would a Winchester be without a love for firearms? As with Star Trek, if he liked it, he’d buy it and go off down into the holler on family land and have a good time plinking cans and bottles. He was never one for the sport of hunting, but he did inherit some hunting rifles that he was proud to own.

Larry is survived by his wife Barbara; daughters Joyce and Lauren; granddaughters Rixz and Hailey and their children; his sister Clara and her children; and many other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and many extended family members, friends, and fellow servicemen and women.

His service will be at McEvoy Funeral Home on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Visitation for immediate family begins at 10am then opens to the public at 11am, with the funeral service to follow beginning at 1pm.

Burial will follow immediately at Chapel Hill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his parents.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon with the family and to share their memories at VFW Post 1889, 2512 E. Wood Street, Paris, following the service. Those not wishing to attend the graveside service are welcome to go straight there after his services at McEvoy Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family.

Larry’s family would like to send special thanks to Rickey, Billy, and Sandy for making the time to visit him at various hospitals and rehab centers over the last stretch of his illness. He truly loved y’all and enjoyed every minute with you.