Roll Call Tribute

Dr. Larry Joel Ringer 

September 24, 1937 - June 28, 2023 

Larry J. Ringer was born on September 24, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the younger son, by four minutes, of Joel and Francis Ringer. Larry and his identical twin, Jerry, grew up in Mount Vernon, Iowa. His life was based on service, faith, and family. He passed away on June 28, 2023.

Larry met Jean Bradley while they were students at Iowa State. They were married in November 1960 and have been married for 62 years.

Larry attended Iowa State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Master of Science in Statistics. After graduation, he reported to Fort Sill, OK to fulfill his ROTC commitment. As he was finishing active duty, his professor from Iowa State asked him to join him at Texas A&M University and be the first doctoral student in Statistics. Larry kidded he came despite being stationed with two Aggies who told all the tales of being in the Corps during the 1960s.

Dr. Ringer graduated from A&M in 1965 and joined the faculty of The Graduate Institute of Statistics. He taught numerous graduate students and mentored more than 100 doctoral students during his tenure. He served on many university committees and retired as a professor emeritus in the Department of Statistics in 2004. He planned to stay at A&M for a few years, but it became a lifetime.

It was during his time serving on the Civic Parks Committee he decided to run for city council on a parks platform. He served on the College Station City Council from 1976 to 1984 made up of representatives from local civic organizations. It was his pleasure to serve as Mayor of College Station for nine years, 1986-1995. During his time in city government, he championed the building of more parks and a plan for the future growth of the city. Later he was asked to lead a committee for the establishment of a city library. After years of visiting the bookmobile weekly, he was more than willing to help. The Larry J. Ringer Library is named in honor of his desire to provide a place residents could share his love of books and reading. Until recently Larry served on the B/CS Library Committee, Central Texas Library System, and the State Library Commission.

He served the community additionally though Kiwanis, as a tax consultant with AARP, a track official for TAMU track and field meets, the Brazos Valley Symphony, the Fun for All Playground, Aggieland Humane Society, and other volunteer opportunities.

Larry was a founding member of Christ Church. He sang in the choir and played the hand bells. He was a long-time member of Christian Collage Sunday School Class. The “Bureaucrat”, as he was known on the CB radio, chaperoned many MYF ski trips to Colorado with MYF from A&M Methodist Church.

His love for Aggie sports goes back to 1963 when he bought season tickets for football and baseball. Larry enjoyed coaching his children’s sports teams. The family will always remember listening to the soundtracks of Pete’s Dragon and Star Wars on 8-tracks during family vacations. One of his greatest joys was taking his grandchildren on a special trip of their choice when they turned 12. Their choices included Antarctica, London and Paris, Iceland, and Disney Hawaii. They traveled the world on their own and have visited every continent.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and children Margaret (Dave) Donaldson, Michael (Ronda) Ringer, and Susan (Matt) Mabry; grandchildren Matthew Donaldson (Helen Weber), Abbye Donaldson, Penelope Ringer-Mabry, and Violette Mabry. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Carole Ringer, and brother-in-law Bill Bradley plus nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be Friday, August 25th at Callaway-Jones in Bryan from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 26th at Christ Church (4201 Texas 6 S Frontage Road) starting at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent in Larry Ringer’s name to:

Bryan + College Station Public Library System, c/o Larry J. Ringer Memorial Fund, 201 E. 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803

Fun for All Playground at Central Park: Checks made out to: Fun For All Playground or online: https://funforallplaygroundbcs.com/ 

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com