Larry (Benjamin S) Konikoff, Jr. flew his last flight to heaven on Friday, October 24, 2014. He was 68 years young, born on February 10, 1946. After a battle with leukemia at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX, he died with complications from pneumonia. He was the beloved husband, best friend, and soul mate of Prudence Landry Konikoff for over 42 years.
Pre-deceased by his parents Dr. Ben and Gloria Konikoff. He is survived by his sister, Susan Williber and her husband Clyde of Baton Rouge; brother Charles, and his wife Marilyn of Spring, TX; sister, Connie, and her husband Gary Whitaker of Lafayette, LA; brother Robert and his wide Betty Kay of Chester, VA; uncle, David Stanley of Baton Rouge, LA; and brother and sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Ric Mac of Pride, LA; and Connie and Chris Morgan of Marietta, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews.
Larry was a retired airline captain for Continental Airlines. He served proudly in the United States Marines. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Parish in New Orleans and was a volunteer of the Greather Baton Rouge State Fair. He enjoyed "playing" on his computer, riding his Harley motorcycle, and playing with his surrogate grandson Landry Alexius. Larry was a true Southern Gentleman who loved life and enjoyed being with family and friends. He enjoyed photographing family and friends at festive celebrations, and he loved Mardi Gras.
A celebration of his life was held at a memorial service on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at St. Mary's Assumption Church at 923 Josephine St. in New Orleans, LA. Reception was held at 2025 Constance St. after the Mass.
Donation can be made in his name to St. Mary's Bell Tower Restoration: 2030 Constance St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504-522-6748), or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.LLS.org.
We all felt like we were Larry's pet. He was so loving and generous to each of us. When I was a very little girl, he bought me a Midge doll (which I preferred to Barbie, and he just magically knew which one to get), and took me to movies or riding in his cool sports cars. Eleven years older, he was my hero. In high school he loaned me his corvette to take to school so that I could be "cool". He also mediated between me and my parents when I thought they were being so unreasonable as to not let me have alcohol at a high school party. We didn't drink a lot but it seemed important to "the crowd" to have alcohol. I was so embarrassed because my parents were the "mean ones" while the other parents let their kids drink but Larry pointed out the benefits of having the party anyway. :-) Yes, the kids came and Larry made it seem like it would be alright - and it was. As an adult, he welcomed me, my friends, family into their home, got us "buddy passes" on Continental and did anything he could to help. He did all kinds of favors, large and small from taking care of getting my car to the shop, to sharing a few hours of the last that he had to give before going back into MD Anderson for the stem cell transplant, by touring my friend/colleague around the Garden District so he would have a local's viewpoint. He was always checking our flight reservations to make sure we had the best seats possible, knowing we didn't have time or really the knowledge, to figure all that out. He would check who the flight crew was in case he knew them, so that we could have special treatment and so he could extend a friendly hello to people he used to work with. Larry loved Mardi Gras. In 2013, his last healthy Mardi Gras, I will always appreciate and treasure that he and Prudence opened their home to Ashley and friends during her pre-wedding celebration so that our new out of state family and friends could all experience Mardi Gras together, and experience some Konikoff time. I will always be so grateful that he and Prudence let me be so involved in his care not only to help, but to build important memories and deepen our adult relationship. Larry exemplified courage in action by facing the scary unknown and while no one could do it for him, we did it together. Important life lessons. After he was cremated, he got to fly home in the cockpit of a 737, the plane that he used to fly, thanks to his nephew who is also an airline pilot. That was really his last flight. :-) Larry would have loved that. We can never convey our gratitude and love adequately to Prudence, his lovely wife and our dear sister of the heart, who was with him through every need in his life, and who during his illness, never left his side for longer than a few hours on occasion, despite our urgings. All of the fine things that we say about Larry were supported fully and extended to us by Prudence as well - they were a heartfelt team.
