Larry Wayne Bowling, 67, Harrisonville, MO, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at the Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Friends may call 6:30-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Baptist Church Kitchen Fund, P.O. Box 345, Harrisonville, MO 64701 or to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.

Larry was born February 16, 1942 in Springfield, MO, the only child of Wayne A. and Ora (Brown) Bowling. He grew up on the family farm where he learned to love the land and livestock and develop his hard work ethic. He was a 1960 graduate of Willard High School. He worked for Western Electric in Grandview, MO, (which changed names several times during his tenure) for 36 years before retiring in 1996 from Lucent Technologies.

Larry was united in marriage to Sharon Law on October 10, 1965 in Butler, MO. To that union two children were born, a son, Travis Wayne Bowling, in 1972, who lives on the family farm in Willard, MO and a stillborn daughter, Lisa Leann, in 1983. Larry served his country in Harry S. Truman's Army National Guard unit from 1964-1970.

Larry was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville where he was an active member and served on many committees including the building committee. In the 1980's Larry was active in the Cass County 4-H where he served as beef leader, a subject dear to his heart. Larry was also a member of Farm Bureau and served on the board of directors. He also served on the University of Missouri, Cass County Extension Board of Directors.

Larry loved his family above all, especially his three favorite people, his grandchildren. He was so proud of their accomplishments. He derived great pleasure from working and caring for his cows and was always trying to improve his herd. He enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts and Sunday evenings at Mazzio's with special friends. He loved going to cattle auctions and talking with cattle breeders. He also enjoyed watching westerns, especially John Wayne movies, who he could relate to with his straight talk and tell it like it is personality. Larry was never afraid to speak his mind so you always knew where you stood with him. He was a man of his word, someone you could count on. He was a wonderful husband, a great dad and proud and caring grandpa. He was always a good neighbor and loyal friend; a man you would want on your side. He was well-loved and respected and will be missed by all who knew him.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Ora Bowling, an infant daughter, Lisa Leane, uncle and aunt, Willard and Wilma Bowling, mother and father-in-law, Verl and Earl Law, a brother-in-law, Duane Law and a sister-in-law, Donna Henderson. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of the home; one son, Travis Bowling and his wife, Laura of Willard, MO; three grandchildren, Dustin, Trevor and Makayla, all of Willard, MO; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Linda Law of Butler, MO; a sister-in-law, LaVaun Law of Belton, MO; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.