Larry James Ermis passed from this life Tuesday evening February 10, 2026, in College Station, Texas..

He was born March 16, 1946 in El Campo, TX. Larry married the love of his life, Becky, in 1968. After numerous teaching moves, Larry and Becky settled in Bryan, Texas in 1980 and there raised their two children. In later years Larry was better known as Pawpaw by his beloved grandchildren.

Larry dedicated his passion and time to education. Upon graduating high school in Louise, Texas, teachers encouraged him to attend Wharton County Junior College and then transfer to Texas A&M University (Class of ‘68) where he earned two degrees. This path made Larry a leader and pioneer in agricultural and mechanical education for students, teachers and consumers across the state, nation and globe.

Larry began teaching agriculture in Hungerford, Texas in 1969. He went on to teach in Klein ISD and Cypress Fairbanks ISD. In 1980 he transitioned from teaching high school students to teaching teachers when he went to work at Texas A&M’s Instructional Materials Service. There he wrote agricultural science curriculum, mentored upcoming teachers and provided ongoing professional development until his retirement in 2006. During his career with Texas A&M he traveled to the Dominican Republic and Egypt to work with educators. The curriculum he wrote and edited was used in classrooms across the country particularly in the area of poultry science. He was instrumental in transitioning paper and pencil agricultural project record keeping to a digital platform with the creation of the first “online record book.” This innovation made the process of record keeping for “ag” projects accessible to more students and teachers and allowed agricultural education to grow with the future of technology.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Anton Alois Ermis and Rosie Marie (Kutach) Ermis; his sister, Dorothy (Ermis) Sauers and brothers, Justin, Edward, Elmer, Wilbur and David Ermis; his in-laws Edwin and Clara (Rachunek) Kostka; brother in law, Bill Kostka and long time friends that became family, John and Ruth Whitten.

Survivors include his loving and patient wife of 57 years, Becky (Kostka); his children, Robyn Jones and husband, Chad and Bryan and wife, Lorrie; his brothers, Clarence, and Tony Ermis; and his sisters, Lorane Kocurek, Barbara Socha and Rose Ermis-Damuth. Other than Texas Aggie football and baseball, the greatest joys in his life have definitely been his grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Becca Keefer, Molly Keefer, Adrianna Lyons and husband Jack parents to Thomas Theodore Lyons; Greyson Ermis and Everlie Ermis. He is also survived by sister in law, Barbara (Kostka) Bonham and husband David, brother in law James Kostka and wife Margaret, Mike Whitten and wife Linda and Vernon Whitten and wife Jenny and their families.

Larry was a religious man and practiced his faith through endless service. He was always willing to help install a roof, build a rabbit barn, rewire or plumb a house, plant a tree or build a fence. He was a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus holding various leadership positions but most importantly cooking hundreds of chickens to raise funds for youth. He was a member of the Bryan Evening Lions Club until the club's disbandment and was instrumental in starting the Bryan Lion’s Club Slovacek memorial sausage supper fundraiser. He was a lifelong FFA member as well as a member of countless agricultural education organizations. Larry also took great pleasure in fishing and growing things in God’s soil.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00pm on Monday, February 16, 2026 with a rosary to follow at 6:00pm., The funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. A meal and time for fellowship will be held at 12:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Activity Center. The funeral mass will be at 2:00pm. Burial will immediately follow at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station, Texas.

Memorials may be made to Texas Lions Camp, your local FFA chapter or public school district Career and Technology Education department.

The family would like to express immense gratitude to Concho Hearts Hospice and the staff of Sodalis Senior Living for their loving care and support.