William Larry O'Kain

Beloved McMinnville resident William Larry O’Kain peacefully passed away in his sleep April 19, 2022 at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee following a brief illness. Born September 9, 1938 to Bill and Lillian (Harvey) O’Kain in Cumberland Furnace, a rural community in northern Dickson County, Tennessee. On his tenth birthday he received a Gene Autry guitar, which inspired his lifetime passion for country music. After graduating from Charlotte High School, he moved to the Nashville area to study broadcasting at Jack Wright School of Radio. After completing his radio certification, he freelanced and worked with many country radio stations becoming friends with artists including, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Tex Ritter to name a few. Many nights Larry could be found on Seventh Avenue at WSM conversing with disc jockey legend Ralph Emery as he broadcasted his late-night radio show. Not long after that Larry received an offer to work at WAKI, a radio station in McMinnville, Tennessee. Larry would fall in love with the friendly town of McMinnville and meet the love of his life, the late Helen Kate Brown (O’Kain). They would marry six months later. That following winter Larry was drafted and honorably served in the Army of the United States, training and living in Fort Benning, Georgia. After his two-year stint he would move back to McMinnville and start a real estate company, Larry O’Kain Realty & Auction. Larry enjoyed playing classical guitar, listening to Merle, Waylon, and taking his family to annual stock car races at Daytona Beach, Florida. Larry and Helen were active in their community, school, and church. Larry was never hesitant to donate his auctioneer services for any requested groups or organizations. He was recognized for his charitable services to an early Boyd Christian School and would later teach classes in real estate at Motlow State Community College. He then returned to his love of country music by hosting his own country music show at WJLE AM-FM, a country radio station out of Smithville, Tennessee. Larry was a faithful member of the Central Church of Christ of McMinnville and was the son of the late Bill and Lillian Harvey O’Kain. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Kate O’Kain, father-in-law, Winton Brown and mother-in-law, Marietta Couch Brown. He is survived by son Johnny O’Kain of Nashville, TN; brother, Donald O’Kain of Florence, AL. and nephew, Mike O’Kain of Huntsville, AL. Graveside service and interment for immediate family will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 27 at Mt. View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to High Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.