Larry Lee Kerby

Larry Lee Kerby
Larry Lee Kerby, known to some as Butch, age 79, of Bogard and Fair Grove, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Cox South Medical Center, Springfield, Missouri.
Larry was born the son of Clifford Wilson and Grace Louise (Key) Kerby on February 15, 1945, in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Tina-Avalon High School in 1963, and attended Tina and Tina-Avalon Schools all 12 years. Larry, playing drums, and his best friend, Sammy Bennett, playing guitar and singing, formed a band and played at T-A School dances and other social places. He was also in the marching band.
Larry joined Coloma Baptist Church and was baptized on May 1, 1955. He remained very active in the church, serving as Sunday school superintendent and trustee for many years. He also attended Mt. Comfort Church, Fair Grove, Missouri.
Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 20, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois. He trained at Lackland Air Force Base as a Pavement Specialist. While there, he received an expert sharpshooter certificate and an Air Force commendation medal in the 12th Civil Engineer Squadron. He was then stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas. While stationed there, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie McKerlie on January 8, 1966. On December 31, 1967, he served at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and was honorably discharged on December 9, 1968, as a Sergeant. He then served in the Air Force Reserve until August 19, 1971. Larry also received the State of Missouri Vietnam War Medallion.
Upon returning home, Larry worked at Banquet Foods, Green Quarries, D.W. Jones Farms, custom baling, and farm work until he was injured, and then worked as a paraprofessional at Tina-Avalon. He loved helping the teachers and students. His joy was listening to First graders read. He became friends with the high school students and listened to many stories from the boys. They in return helped him with his wheelchair get in and out of the car. On snowy days, they would shovel a path and clean the snow off his car.
Larry, Merl O’Neal, and Mary Jones organized the Tina-Avalon County Music Show in 1984. In the first show he played the drums, and after that he ran the sound system.
Larry was a member of the Vern R. Glick American Legion Post #25 of Chillicothe, and the Pence-Lovell-England VFW Post #1773 of Carrollton. He was also a member of the Gateway Paralyzed Veterans of America of St. Louis, Missouri. Larry served on the Tina-Avalon School Board, the Hill Township Board, and the ASCS Boards.
Larry retired in May of 2010 and moved with his wife, Evelyn, to Springfield, Missouri, to be closer to their daughter, LeAnn and her husband, Ben, to enjoy their grandchildren, who were the love of his life. He could hardly wait for them to come spend time with him. Larry loved visiting and spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed life even though he was in a lot of pain. Larry loved much, he lost much, but he is resting and at peace.
Larry is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home; his daughter, LeAnn (Ben) Pyatt, Fair Grove, Missouri; four grandchildren, Anson Thomas Pyatt, Leeson Kerby Pyatt, Graeson Joseph Pyatt, and Edison Frank Pyatt; two sisters, Jane Rae (Gary) Psota, Bogard, Missouri, and Mary Edith (Bob) Francis, Bogard, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, LeRae Marie Kerby; grandson, Thomas Marie Pyatt; two brothers, Robert Earl Kerby and Clifford Russell Kerby; and sister, Sharron Louise Elkins and her husband, Charles.
Funeral services will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call at Lindley Funeral Home on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Coloma Cemetery, Coloma, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Coloma Cemetery and/or Tina-Avalon Alumni Scholarship Fund and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.