Lawrence M. Waite Jr. 58, died on July 14, 2009, in Springfield. He was predeceased by his father, Lawrence M. Waite Sr.; his mothers Rosa Lee Waite and Natalie Waite-Walker; uncles John and Arthur L. Waite; aunt Betty; and cousin Bobbi Waite. Larry graduated from Parkview High School in 1969, and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He lived in Washington D.C., New York City, and Gulfport, Mississippi, before returning to live in Springfield, Missouri in 2008. He was a survivor of Hurricane Katrina. While living in Washington D.C. and New York, he was a studio manager for an advertising company, performed in plays, and worked as a theatrical makeup artist. He appeared with La Scala Opera at the Kennedy Center in three productions as a supernumerary, carried a life-size statue of the Virgin Mary across stage in a procession scene from Cavaleria Rusticana, was a solder in Macbeth and a town person in La Boheme. While in high school he performed in several productions, most notably as Evil Eye Fleegle in Little Abner in 1968. Larry was a talented writer, keenly observant and a warm and witty human being. He is survived by his cousins, Freddie Porter, John Waite, James Waite, Jackie Jenkins, Jerry Waite, Kelly Moore, Charles Waite and Cathy Gorgensen; his beloved dogs Caroline and Harley; long time friend, Nancy Freeman Barnett; aunts, Catherine Cohen, Ann Thomas and Patsy Waite; uncles, James, William, Danny and Cline; and many other friends whose lives he touched. There will be a graveside service on Friday, July 17, in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, at 1 p.m. Special thanks to Cousin Michelle for helping in making the trip back to Springfield possible. Instead of flowers, please make donations to the Council of Churches of the Ozarks (417-869-0563) in appreciation of the work done by Connections Handy Man Services.