Wilbur Eugene Largent was born on August 22, 1926, in Strasburg, Illinois. Wilbur grew up in Southern Illinois attending several different schools due to his father’s sales routes, actually attending eight different schools during his eighth grade experience! Wilbur graduated from Effingham High School in 1945. Wilbur met Mildred Largent and they married in August, 1947 at First Baptist Church in Effingham, Illinois. Wilbur and Mildred were married for sixty-nine years.

Wilbur and Mildred lived in Springfield during their early marriage and were instrumental in developing the Springfield Baptist Church where they were charter members.

Wilbur was a veteran of World War II. After his discharge, he was hired under a veterans program with the Illinois State Architect’s Office as a draftsman. Wilbur began his professional career as an Electrical Engineer under the State Architects professional guidance. After a few years, Wilbur sought new opportunity for his growing family and enlisted a St. Louis employment company to find him a job “somewhere” and that “somewhere” ended up in Dallas, Texas.

Wilbur began specializing in large commercial electrical design plans with several well-known design firms. Wilbur was a key factor in the development of the First National Bank building which, at that time, was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, the GM assembly plant in Oklahoma City, Dallas City Hall, and Dallas’s first “Hollywood” studio where the movie Silkwood was produced as well as overseas projects. For six months, he lived in Paris while designing the electrical system for a hospital for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Wilbur’s last foray into electrical design was a nationwide remodeling of the Black Eye Pea restaurants. Wilbur was President of the North Texas Illuminating Society and won several awards for lighting design. Wilbur also owned and operated an Insurance agency and served as an independent electrical systems consultant for many years. Wilbur was an active Deacon in his church and he enjoyed serving as a Scoutmaster for the Circle Ten Council in Dallas. He was past President of the White Rock Kiwanis Club in Dallas. In Joplin, Wilbur was active in supporting Forest park Baptist Church’s mission programs and served on various building committees. He served as town treasurer for Loma Linda, Missouri. During his retirement years in Joplin, Wilbur enjoyed cars, fishing, genealogy and was a self-proclaimed “news junkie”.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Largent, his sister, Norma Jean Suiter. He is survived by his son, George W. Largent and wife Mary of Joplin; his daughter, Carolyn M. Dickinson and husband Alan of El Dorado, AR; three grandchildren, Lanell Huffman and husband Howdy of Campo, CO; John Dickinson and wife Karen of San Francisco, CA; Lydia Norvell and husband Jon of Bull Shoals, AR. Eight great grandchildren, two great-great grandsons and one great-great granddaughter.

Monetary gifts rather than flowers may be given to missions at Forest Park Baptist Church.

Special thank you to the staff at Spring River Christian Village for their love and compassionate care.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. to service time at the mortuary. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

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