Obituary for Larry Duane Brazell

On Friday, November 28, 2025, Larry Duane Brazell of Pringle, SD, passed away at the VA Hospital in Hot Springs, SD, at the age of 80 years.

Larry was born on November 7, 1945 in Chester, SD, to Donald Wayne Brazell and Marjorie May (Sorenson) Brazell. He grew up on the family farm in eastern South Dakota (Wentworth, Chester, Volga area) and attended grade school at the Washington country school.

In 1958 his parents sold the farm and bought a ranch east of Hermosa, SD and moved there in December.

Larry then attended the Folsom country school and then McMahon country school which was nearer to the ranch. He attended high school at Rapid City High School. It was during this time he met his first wife, Marcia Kay Miller. He graduated high school in June of 1965.

In February 1966, Larry was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division. After his basic training Larry was granted a leave home in October. Larry and Marcia were married at the First Christian Church of Rapid City, SD on October 23,1966.

The 101st were transferred to West Point, New York to the U.S. Military Academy to continue training. After a few months at West Point, Larry was reassigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. While here, Larry and Marcia's first child, Shirley Dawn Brazell was born.

Larry served from February 1966 to February 1968 when he was honorably discharged from the Army.

Larry and Marcia lived on the family ranch east of Hermosa where two more children were born to them. Susie Lane Brazell (Gross) and Casey Todd Brazell.

They moved to Custer, SD December 25, 1970 and Larry worked in the timber. In 1975 they moved to Pringle, SD where they worked on a ranch. Larry and Marcia were divorced and Larry moved back to Custer and worked as a trucker.

Larry met and married his second wife, Diane Renee Wicks on March 17, 1978. During this time he worked as a contract miner in the Black Hills for Pacer Minerals. Two children were born to Larry and Dianne, Jeannie Lynn Brazell (Roberts) and Jeff Wayne Brazell.

Larry and Dianne divorced and Larry went to visit his parents who were living in Apache Junction, AZ. While in a restaurant Larry saw Don Donnelly, owner of Don Donnelly's D-Spur Ranch and Stables. Larry went over and asked Donnelly for a job. Donnelly told him to be there at 8am. He worked for the D-Spur Ranch for several years and was there when he met actor Ben Johnson.

After that, Larry was an over-the-road trucker traveling from coast to coast until 2014. He moved to Apache Junction, AZ to be with his father. After the death of his father in 2016 he moved to Pringle, SD and lived on the ranch with his son, Casey and Julie and is where he was residing at the time of his death.

Larry is survived by his sister, Sandra Brazell of Belgrade, MT; brother, Bill Brazell (Alene) of Hermosa, SD; daughter Shirley Goldade (Thomas Selzler) of Hettinger, ND; daughter Susie Gross (Steve) of Belle Fourche, SD; son Casey Brazell (Julie) of Pringle, SD; daughter Jeannie Roberts of Brunswick, GA; son Jeff Brazell (Teri) of Richmond Hill, GA; 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, nieces, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Marjorie Brazell; sister-in-law Margaret (Mielke) Brazell; son-in-law John Philip Roberts, Sr.; grandson TJ Goldade; and nephew Donny Gorsuch.

Memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD, followed by committal services at 2:30 p.m., at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.