By Marilyn Miller
Sculptor. Painter. Pianist. Organist. Graphic Designer. Composer. Music leader, Florist.
Teacher. Volunteer. Renaissance Man.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the latter as “a man who has wide interests in many artistic and intellectual activities and is considered an expert in many of these.” In the case of Minden’s “Man of the Year” for 2024, Larry W. Milford, he is an expert in ALL of these. And more.
“Men and women of this caliber move in and out of our presence on a routine basis in an unassuming manner,” said Bill Crider, who presented the award to Milford during February’s annual Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Gala. “We hardly ever notice them until they sit down at the piano and begin playing a classical piece; or show an award in graphic design for a piece created for an international oil and gas show.
This multi-talented, people person was born in Ferriday, Louisiana to Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Milford. The family relocated to the McIntyre area when Larry was in the third or fourth grade. For a time, they owned and worked at what is now known as Rascoe’s Grocery in Dixie Inn.
Larry always possessed a predisposition for the arts; carving, painting and piano for starters. When he was about six-years-old, he scratched a figure in the finish of his mother’s desk. He then took piano lessons from a trio of talented and well-know pianists. It was hard to practice, since the Milford’s had no piano.
Milford, who will turn 82 this year, attended Stewart Elementary School, where one of his favorite teachers was Mrs. Irene Frazier. After he graduated from Minden High School and Louisiana Tech University, he moved to Shreveport. But often when he was in Minden, he would stop by to visit Mrs. Frazier.
“We got to talking about things, and I said, ‘Ya’ll went to Minnesota on vacation,’ and I pulled out the postcard that she sent me (and each of the kids in class),” Larry recalled. He handed her the card, telling her that “You touched my life and I want you to keep this card to remind yourself of what kind of teacher you were.”
“People are more important than anything,” Larry stated. “My joy is reaching out to people.”
Though he never knew quite where he fit in at Minden High School, he admired the teaching staff, which was highly ranked on both the State and National levels. Teachers there seemed to recognize Larry’s talent, and many always pointed him in the direction of a great challenge for art, graphic design, painting, and more.
Larry entered Louisiana Tech in 1960, finishing with a BA in Design in 1964. He then studied an extra year to pick up credits for Art Education, finishing in ’65.
In December of 1964, he married Barbara Johns. The Milfords have a son, Lawrence, a daughter, Liesl; a grandson, Lance, and a great grandson, Landyn. They resided in Shreveport for 31 years before returning to Minden.
Larry’s work history reveals that he worked for AMF BEAIRD, Inc. in Shreveport from 1965-’73 where he was responsible for trade show coordination, designing trade show booths, and all brochures, calling cards, etc. to support the show. He also prepared visuals for national board meetings. Larry was responsible for organizing and decorating for the corporation’s annual Christmas Party, a much-anticipated blow-out which attracted nearly 2,000 people.
In 1975, Milford made a bold decision, and became self-employed, taking on freelance and contract jobs. “He worked as a graphic designer, sculptor, events coordinator, and color consultant,” Bill Crider said. “Many of his assignments were one-of-a-kind. He is a licensed florist and has worked as events coordinator, theme parties for debutantes, corporations, sales programs, weddings, and pageants – some which drew 15,000 to 20,000 in attendance. Some events featured “folks” like Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, U.S. Secretary of Treasury John Connelly, and several Governors.”
“I’m better with sculpting,” Larry admitted. To understand, just look at his works at First Methodist Church in Minden, the “Redbirds Baseball” work at the Minden Coca-Cola plant, and multiple jobs for the Germantown Museum, the Dorcheat Museum in Minden, the Ford Museum in Homer, the Spring Street and Louisiana State Museums in Shreveport, and many more “personally commissioned” pieces throughout the United States.
One submission for the “Man of the Year” award, noted that “Larry’s talent in music has provided some wonderful compositions that have reached all the way to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and has been used by the Minden Community Chorus.”
Larry taught art at Wade Correctional near Haynesville for three years. He also volunteered to work with youngsters at the Artworks summer festivals and City festivals, as well as Cultural Crossroads festivals. And each year at Christmas, drivers get to see lanterns designed and built by Larry that line the streets and boulevards of downtown Minden. Larry has also been commissioned for special pieces at Minden Medical Center and First Baptist Church of Minden.
A proficient writer and composer, Larry has written over 100 songs (several which found their way to Broadway in New York), and at least 100 poems.
His awards include “Best of Show” in the Louisiana Tech Senior Art Show 1960; Gilbert Paper Company International Design Award, “Best of Show” in the Ceramic Sculpture for the Men’s Art Guild in Shreveport, “Best of Show” in metal sculpting at the 1976 Homer Art Show, “Artist of the Decade” and “Distinguished Artist Award” from Cultural Crossroads. Commissions include the “Angel of Hope” sculpture at First Methodist Church, “Redbirds Baseball” at Minden Coca-Cola, “Percy Mayfield” for the Children’s Festivals in Minden, lanterns for the City of Minden and Historic District, every prop imaginable for numerous musicals and plays in the Ark-La-Tex, pianist for the Community Chorus and the Calvary Baptist Church near Homer (never missed a Sunday). Larry wrote a book entitled, “Touched by His Devine Appointments” and at present he is writing more prose and poetry.
“My English teach at Minden High, Mrs. Connie B. Harper, would have been so proud,” Larry said, a smile in his voice.
Larry has been married to his wife, Barbara, for over 59 years. They have stood by each other’s sides through thick and thin.
Several stanzas in one of Larry’s poems, entitled “Angels,” could summarize Larry’s life now:
“During times of pain, there you were,
During times of joy, again.
During times that meant so much to me,
You became an angel, friend.”
“The kindest thought, that golden deed,
God uses you that way,
The Lord magnifies His love in you,
He blessed again today.”
