Larry Gene Hyde, 86, of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his residence.
Larry was born on April 7, 1939, in Jefferson County, Illinois, to the late Harold Reynolds Hyde and Helen Schultz Hyde. He graduated from Mt. Vernon (IL) Township High School in 1957. He attended Mt. Vernon Community College and Southeast Missouri State College. He started his sales career with Tupperware, eventually rising to regional sales vice president with Tri-Chem paints and Creative Circle. He launched a second career with his own company, CopyTech, as “Mr. Toner,” selling copiers and toner to school systems in western Kentucky and southern Illinois.
Larry was a kind, funny, and generous man. He was a gentle man and wasn’t ever one to yell or get mad at anyone. He was a people person and had friends and family whom he would call or visit regularly. He was a member and Elder Emeritus of First Christian Church in Benton, Kentucky. He enjoyed spending time with his friends in the Men’s Fellowship Group. He loved to fish, and thanks to his fishing buddy Paul, he survived a fall into Kentucky Lake several years ago. He loved traveling around the United States with his family during his working years. He later enjoyed traveling with his son-in-law’s family as well on trips to Canada, Bermuda, Colorado, and Disney World. He and Elaine also traveled with their son Andy to Hong Kong and Buenos Aires. Larry’s childhood in farming translated into the knowledge and skill needed for cultivating a flourishing container garden on his deck each year.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Elaine Dare Hyde; daughter Cindy (Jon) Louthian of Clarksburg, MD; son, Andy Hyde of Nashville, TN; his two grandchildren, Amanda Louthian and Owen Louthian of Clarksburg, MD; and several maternal cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Helen Schultz Hyde, his paternal uncle Leslie Hyde, and his maternal aunts and uncles.
Since Larry was always planning ahead as to what the next meal would be, you may send donations to Marshall County Caring (Needline), 307 E Main Street, Benton, KY 42025, MCCaringNeedline.org, or as a memorial to his faith, to First Christian Church, 2515 Main Street, Benton, Kentucky 42025.
Per his wishes, no funeral services will be held.
Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Milner & Orr is handling the arrangements.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit Larry’s Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.
