Larry Joe Webb, 73, of Springfield, MO, passed away Sunday morning, May 17, 2020 peacefully, listening to Classic Country music with his daughters by his side. Larry was born in Lebanon, MO, March 13, 1946, to Myrtle Irene (Gywn) and W. Christopher Webb. He worked for 28 years at Zenith as a forklift repairman and a boiler room operator, eventually retiring from the preventive maintenance department at Springfield Public Schools after 14 years of service. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Larry passed one year and one day after his beloved Mary who went before him. In addition, he was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and his adoring sister, Charlotte and her husband Gene, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles and JoAnn Hoff. He is survived by his loving daughters Robyn Michelle (Webb) Handley and her husband Kenneth, Jennifer Dawn Webb, and his two beloved grandchildren Kenson Joe and Catelyn Michelle Handley, dear friend/brother Dennis Rodgers, sister-in-law and her husband, a sister and brother and many nieces and nephews.
Larry lost his mother at the age of 14 and was moved to Berthoud, CO. When he became of age to enlist, he returned to MO and joined the US Army with his buddies from Lebanon (Hiram, Teddy and Freeman). While overseas, serving in Vietnam, he began writing letters to a beautiful nursing student in Springfield whom he’d never met, Mary Hoff. They exchanged letters throughout his tour and upon returning to the states, he took a chance to meet her and they fell in love at first sight. They were married, August 12, 1967 and raised 2 daughters and built their life together. From this 52year marriage 2 grandchildren came, a lifetime of love and laughter on their beloved farm. Larry loved to tell stories of his childhood and many weekends turned into drives to Laclede Co., MO to show hangouts and homes he lived in. He would share stories of setting up bowling pins at the bowling alley for $ .50 per shift, the store where he bought peppermint candies for his mother who was sick with cancer, roads that he hitched rides with people to go fishing for the day, and Rowdy’s farm where he’d save $.50 to horseback ride as often as he could. He was a cowboy at heart and loved raising and riding horses. This is a love he shared with his daughters, taking them on trail rides and campouts in the horse trailer as often as they could. He also shared this love of horses with his cowboy buddies (Eddie, Clyde, Spud, Don, and the crew).
Larry also loved bass fishing with his buddies. He fished in tournaments and even took a trip with his best buddy, Dennis, to Canada for a fishing trip where they caught more fish than they could’ve imagined. This is a love he passed on to his favorite grandson, Kenson Joe. Papa shared his love of fishing with his favorite granddaughter, Catelyn as well. On the banks of Bennett Springs, he helped Catelyn reel in her first trout on her Barbie fishing pole. You could say he ‘hooked’ them.
He never met a stranger. If you were a friend to Larry, he was loyal and ready to drop anything to help you out. No matter what, he was a helper and a worker. He had a huge heart for others and would help out anyone in need. He told you he loved you, so you always knew where you stood; there was never any question.
He expected respect to women especially Mary. His love, devotion and protection of her was second to none, we believe this goes back to losing his mother at such an early age. He was always worried for her and about her. He loved ‘his girls’ with all his heart. Family was always first and friends were considered family.
A visitation will be held at 4:00pm-6:00pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Tuesday, May 26, 2020. A graveside service with military honors will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, in Seneca, MO. at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020.
A special thank you from the Webb/Handley family goes to the hardworking and loving staff and residents of Bentonview Park Rehabilitation Facility in Monett, MO. We are incredibly grateful for their loving touch and compassion showed to our father during his stay and through his passing. We consider the staff our extended family and we appreciate the dignity and love shown to our dad and family.