Larry Shepard

Larry Lee Shepard, 80, of Greenwood, was born June 6, 1933, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of William Merrill and Vella (Gaines) Shepard. He departed this life at 4:27 p.m. Monday, January 20, 2014, at his home in Greenwood.
Larry was a proud United States Navy veteran.
On September 11, 1960, he was united in marriage to Sandra Jean Orr in Emerson, Iowa. They later divorced.
Larry was a powerhouse engineer operator for Western Electric/AT&T in Lee’s Summit for 33 years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #0189, Lee’s Summit and the Chapter #91 E.A.A. His hobbies included tinkering with old bicycles, motorcycles, and scooters, airplanes, fishing and road-side picking. He loved being ornery, and was outspoken; but he never met a stranger and always helped other people more than himself.
He was preceded in death by his long time companion Lourene Taylor and two brothers, William Shepard and Maxwell Shepard.
Larry is survived by two sons, Robert E. (and Kara) Shepard and Richard A. Shepard, both of Pleasant Hill; two daughters Vella Jean (and Rodney) Christesen of Harrisonville, and Lori A. Thorpe, of Greenwood; eight grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; other relatives; and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. Mr. Damon Sasyk will officiate. Full military honors will be performed by the U.S. Navy and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.
The family will receive following the service. Cremation will be accorded following the service. Inurnment will be in the Lee’s Summit Cemetery at a later date.