Max Larry Doolittle, 88, passed away December 21, 2025, at UMC in Jackson, MS suddenly, yet peacefully.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, December 27 at 1 p.m. with services beginning at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary, Starkville, MS. A military graveside service at Oddfellows Cemetery will follow.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Max and Blondie Denley Doolittle; his sister Dorothy Mayhall and his devoted wife of 52 years, Marilyn Elaine Scoggins.

He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Dennison of Columbus, MS and Michelle Kelly of Wilmington, NC and his beloved grandchildren, Avery Dennison, Anna and Max Hildreth and step-granddaughter Sophie Kelly.

Larry was born in Slate Springs, MS on March 20, 1937 and graduated as class valedictorian from Calhoun City High School in 1955.

He then began his long storied love for MIssissippi State University, graduating in 1959 with a BS in Forestry, earning many honors and awards and also as a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

After graduation, he married Marilyn and shortly afterwards served in active duty in the Army for 2 years ending his military career in 1987 retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Active Reserves.

His forestry career included a MS of Sociology, MSU 1967 and a Ph.D. in Forest Fire Science at University of Washington 1972 which led him into a position of project leader for forest fire prevention for the U.S. Forest Service for 20 years. After retirement, he went on to serve as a research scientist and associate professor at MSU until 2003.

Throughout his life, he was a very devoted Christian and as a member of First Baptist Church in Starkville, served as a deacon and as a studious Sunday School teacher to adults up until May of this year.

Larry will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather and a loyal and respected friend to many.

Memorial donations may be made to: First Baptist Church Missions, 106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759, Baptist Children’s Village, 114 Marketridge Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or Charity of Choice.

You can leave the family a condolence at www. welchfuneralhomes.com.