James “Larry” Karraker, 69, died at 5:03 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at home. Larry was born on August 21, 1947, in Carbondale, the son of James C. and Moneada E. Karraker.

He was a 1965 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro High School and a 1969 graduate of Southern Illinois University majoring in political science. He obtained his law degree in 1972 from the University of Kentucky School of Law and began his legal career. He was a public defender in Alexander County, assistant state’s attorney in Union County and regional counsel for DCFS for southern 17 counties.

Larry was an avid reader and To Kill a Mockingbird was the inspiration for his dream to becoming an attorney. He was a skilled criminal defense attorney who loved the law and had a great sense of humor. He was a member of Cobden Masonic Lodge #466, a friend of Bill W and sponsored many who reached out to him. He shared his mother’s love of Cardinal Baseball, but his true passion was Kentucky Basketball. He was the first person awarded the Gazette Democrat Alumni of the Year Award in 1992 as an example of a successful person that high school graduates could emulate.

Larry touched many lives in many different ways. He will be missed by his family, friends, and clients.

He married Cindy (Sorrells) Swope in 1967 and shared three children. In 1996, he married Lorraine (Basler) Karraker and she survives. They blended their families and were blessed with six children and three grandchildren.