Dr. Lawrence "Larry" M. Cibula

1943 - 2017

Dr. Lawrence "Larry" M. Cibula obituary, 1943-2017

FUNERAL HOME

Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors

5400 North Street

Nacogdoches, Texas

Lawrence "Larry" Cibula Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 16, 2017.

A memorial service will be held for Dr. Lawrence "Larry" M. Cibula, 74, on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 10am at Boulevard Christian Church in Muskogee. The service will be officiated by Pastor Chris Lipp, Rev. James McCracken, and Pastor Steve Moss.

Dr. Cibula passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, at his home in Muskogee. He was surrounded by family as he slipped peacefully into the arms of his Savior.

Born on February 23,1943 to Ruth Janke Cibula and Lawrence Michael Cibula, Sr. in Ft. Worth, Texas, he was raised in Westlake, Ohio, and graduated from St. Edward High School in Lakewood in 1960. After spending his freshman year in college at Marquette University, he transferred to Notre Dame University, from which he graduated in 1964 with his Bachelor's Degree. This was followed by medical school at The Ohio State University in Columbus -- completed in 1968 -- and a medical internship at Mt. Carmel Hospital, also in Columbus. In 1969, he joined the U. S. Navy and began his residency in General Radiology at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego. In 1970, Dr. Cibula began flight surgeon training in Pensacola, Florida, and served as a navy flight surgeon during the Vietnam War and for the Blue Angels. After two additional residencies at the U. S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, the second of which was in Therapeutic Radiology, in 1978 he completed a mentorship in Interstitial Implant Therapy, the field in which he would make his career.

Dr. Cibula moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1978 and began work at St. John's Medical Center. In 1983, he joined Muskogee Regional Medical Center and later founded its standalone Cancer Center.

Larry was an avid golfer and also loved scuba-diving, photography, playing his guitar, and his adorable little dogs, which he often carried around in a pouch on his chest. His grandchildren called him Poppie, and he delighted in taking them to Walt Disney World in Orlando, as well as on other fun adventures. He was a member of Boulevard Christian Church in Muskogee, where he was a leader in the Celebrate Recovery ministry.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, Steven Sheard, Jr., who loved his uncle dearly.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Jan Cibula; former wife and mother of his children, Katherine Rose Cibula; daughter, Christine Cibula; son, Michael Cibula; brother, Greg Cibula and wife Tammy; sisters, Merry Cibula and Constance Cibula; step son, Dr. Scott LaGraff and wife Kimberly; step daughter, Jennifer LaGraff Lipp and husband Chris; step niece, Christine Blake and husband Drew; grandchildren, Cameron, Aidan, Joshko, Michaela, and Sean; nephew, Luke; nieces, Alexandra, Abby, and Kerry; great niece, Taylor; great nephew, Curtis; and best friend, James Rybak and wife Linda.

Online condolences may be left at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.

Arrangements are being made under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Additional arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches, Texas.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

May 24, 2017

Coworker

Randy Foley

Just heard. Jan, kids and family, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I worked several years with Dr Cibula at Muskogee Cancer Centet.

RIP Dr C.

May 24, 2017

Ingrid Kimbrough

You will always be in the hearts of many you have encountered. I will miss you.

May 19, 2017

Eddie Rupp

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

May 18, 2017

Donna Roberson

Jan, you are loved, great loss this side of Heaven

May 18, 2017

Virgil&Susie Neu

Rest in Peace, Larry. You were inspiration to us all! Our condolences to your wife and family.

May 18, 2017

Michael Jablonski

We are so sorry for your loss. Barbara and I send our heart warming condolences to you and your family.

May 18, 2017

Dr. John Steichen DDS, MS

SO sorry for your loss.
Larry was my best buddy in highschool, and first year at Marquette university. I lost track of him for many years, but reconnected recently through Facebook. Gladdened that he was acomitted follower of Christ
You are in my prayers, and god bless you in your loss, and heavens gain.
John steichen DDS,MS

May 18, 2017

Michael Cibula

On Monday night I was able to spend a last couple of hours with my father, Lawrence Cibula, before his passing. We were lucky to have some nice time together in his last few weeks. As some of my friends know, I occasionally write a poem to mark an event. I am so thankful I had just a little bit more time to read it to him.

Our Last Goodbye For Now

Sad goodbyes have always been our norm
Remember when I balled in front of my entire freshman dorm?

My average departing hug count has always been three times or more
Because I loved you so much, it would make my heart sore
I'd say "Hey Dad, one extra for the road, just one more?"

It's hard that we lived so far away
I tried to pack it all into each short stay

I also had this fear that that could be the last time I would see you
Some childhood fears never left me and sadly now it is true

Reflecting on our overlapping 42 years brings a rush of random thoughts
Humor me please while I share a few parting shots

Thank you for your smarts and good looks
The bohemian onion people are good gene cooks

Always with a beard except for that one trip when you shaved it off
Your 80s perm and midlife pony tail didn't stay long enough

I remember cuddling on those brown sofas watching whatever was on TV
My head rising and falling with your every breath, there was no place I'd rather be

Taking the occasional last sips from your Coors banquet beer
Only later did I realize I was getting more of you than alcohol's cheer

Movies were always fun. Star Wars and the Jazz Singer were all our rage
We had so much fun decades later seeing Neil Diamond on stage

I'll cherish our Notre Dame football Saturdays
Even the ones followed by heartbreak loss hangover Sundays

The golf trips we shared were the best
Arizona, Vegas, Pebble Beach, you were always up to travel west

Your almost hole in one that was a quarter turn short of the hole
It looked in all the way and I wanted it for you with every part of my soul

In my mind, it always went in the cup
And I hope in heaven you get to regularly tee it up

Our last trip was east for The Masters, an experience I am so thankful we did not miss
I think we achieved the pinnacle of father son vacation bliss

I'll always remember our good talks over perfectly mixed 4:1 martinis and wine
Even if we saw certain things from different sides of the line
And I'll miss the calls and texts that started with "hey sunshine"

Shifting to your career, you served your country without scare
Those brave soldiers were always in your good care
I always thought it was so cool that you kept the Navy's Blue Angels healthy and in the air
After your military service must have been when you found your colorful tie flair

As a cancer doc, you saved so many from such a cruel disease
If you couldn't cure them, as a Hospice Director, their pain did you ease

Treating cancer is such hard, daily work and difficult way to earn your doe
It was always a shock when a skin cancer image would slip into the family slide show

Only just recently did you tell Chris and I why you like such nice pens
When you write daily about so much pain, a beautiful Mont Blanc was your rose colored lens

I hope you know how rare it is to have impacted lives in so many ways
I couldn't be more proud. You even kept talking about returning to work in your final days

Not just your patients but you were always there to help family
Certainly without your love and support I don't know where I would be
Selfishly who will I call with my next health question? I'll want to talk to Doctor C

The last time we spoke you told me I'm a good man and to remember your love
I will do my best to keep making you proud as you watch from above

It's hard to express just how much this hurts and makes me sad
Hit em long and straight up there. I will always miss and love you Dad

May 17, 2017

Mary Krepp

I'm so sorry to here this terrible news of Dr.Cibula passing my prayers go out to his family & friends. I was one of his patients in 2011 @ McAlester, Oklahoma Cancer Centers. May he Rest In Peace God Bless Love ❤ Mary Krepp

May 17, 2017

Eric Wrage

I am so sorry for your loss Mrs. Cibula. I know that your husband is in a better place. In the meantime my thoughts are for Scott and Jennifer and for your husband's family.

May 17, 2017

gary novak

I learned of Larry's death today. Though I have not seen him in many years, I know he was and remember him as a classmate at St. Edwards High School. I will pray for Larry and his family in the difficult days ahead. Safe home, Larry.

May 17, 2017

Eron Flemens

Dr. Cibula, I will miss you terribly. You taught me so much and helped me not only as a nurse but as a human being. Prayers to your family.

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