Bio | Larry Ray Walker, 58, Oak Grove, Mo., passed away February 28, 2015. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the chapel. Inurnment will be held at Brooking Cemetery at a later time. Larry was born July 17, 1956, in Independence, Mo., as one of two children to Laurence and Betty (Argo) Walker. He graduated from Van Horn High School in 1974. He was in the Navy Sea Cadets. He attended college at Warrensburg but later graduated from Longview College with an Associates degree. He worked for Walker's Body Shop, a third generation family business. He also had a career at Farmland Industries before pursuing a career in insurance. He worked for State Farm for 29 years before retirement in 2011. He then worked for Automotive Claims Specialist where he traveled the country as an auto damage appraiser the last three years. On Sept. 25, 1982, he married his beloved Sherri Lynn (Heroneme) and together had a son, Christopher. His passion in life was racing and was a third generation race car driver. He pursed competition in street stocks, mini sprints and well as asphalt and dirt modifieds. He raced, did mechanical work, and also fabrication on his race cars. Larry encouraged his son, Christopher, at the age of seven to be a fourth generation racer taking the family passion through asphalt and dirt go-karts, micro midgets, regular midgets, as well as 305, 360 and 410 sprint cars. They had the opportunity to travel the country and compete at high levels of competition including the prestigious Chili Bowl. In recent years he started enjoying time with family and friends at the Lake of the Ozarks. His family remembers him as hard working, focused, dedicated, out going, fun loving, and a supportive husband and father. Larry is loved and will be dearly missed. He is survived by wife, Sherri of the home, son, Christopher; his sister, Sandy Cline, and his father, Laurence Walker. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Children's Mercy in his memory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com Arr.: Speaks Suburban Chapel, (816) 373-3600. Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816-373-3600
Published by Kansas City Star on Mar. 3, 2015. |