Larry Laverne Harper, 74, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Sunday (February 10, 2013) at Lenoir Woods Nursing Home in Columbia, MO.

The son of Dewey Laverne and Ruth Julane (Church) Harper, he was born August 14, 1938 in Bloomfield, Iowa. On June 14, 1959 in Bloomfield, Iowa, Larry was united in marriage to Alberta Oleta Brunk who preceded him in death on May 25, 2010. Larry was also preceded in death by his parents.

Larry is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Marty and Cindy Harper of Hartsburg, MO and Rodney Harper of Houston, TX; five grandchildren, Tara, Chelsea, Kellen, Jessica and Justine Harper, as well as two great-grandchildren, Lexie and Kayle.

Larry was a graduate from Bloomfield High School with the Class of 1955. Larry was employed thirty five years as a soil conservation technician for SCS until retiring in 2001. He enjoyed showing sheep thirty-five years and was employed five years after his retirement with Hy-Vee in Kirksville. Larry also enjoyed collecting memorabilia including case knives.

He was a member of Kirksville Moose Lodge #1751 and of the First Christian Church of Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Wednesday (February 13, 2013) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Tom Graddy officiating. Music selections will be provided by Twila Jones who will be accompanied by Dianthe Cable, organist. Interment will follow the service at West Grove Cemetery, west of Bloomfield, Iowa.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday (February 13, 2013) from 10:00 to service time at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Coy, Lavern Schmitz, Kellen Harper, Jarrett Hall, Rodger Bland and Kevin Brunk.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Larry Harper may be made to the First Christian Church of Kirksville. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.