Lawrence "Larry" Dale Arthur, 93, passed away on April 23, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. followed by Visitation from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 26, at St. Gabriel Archangel Catholic Church, 4737 N. Cleveland Ave., Kansas City, MO 64117. Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, April 27 at St. Gabriel Church, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

Larry was born in St. Joseph, MO on September 11, 1927. He was an only child. He was preceded in death by his mother Pearl, father Lawrence, and his wife Lucy (Malaponti) Arthur. Survivors include his loving children Nancy, Larry J. (Julie), and Debbie Hall (Kirk); grandchildren Kristin Searle (Chuck), Jenny Arthur, Lauren Arthur (Russell Shankland), Laura Hall, Sam Hall (Rachel), and Josh Hall; great-grandchildren Amelia and Julia Searle, Lucy, Joelle, and Walker Hall; sister-in-law Theresa Pendleton (Gene); sister-in-law Margaret Malaponte; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Larry did not have the easiest childhood growing up but did not let the circumstances dictate what his future would be. He served in the United States Army Air Corp at 18 years old and was sent overseas in the Pacific following WWII. Upon returning in the late 1940's, he met the love of his life, Lucy, and they were married in 1950. He often said that his life really didn't begin until he met her.

Larry was a kind and gentle spirit. He spent his career as a truck driver for Associated Wholesale Grocers where he went to work as the lowest seniority drive in 1957 out of a group of 50 drivers. He retired in 1989 and as the top seniority driver out of 500 drivers at the time. He worked hard to provide for his family. Larry's nickname at work was "Gabby," as he could talk to anyone about anything for any length of time if they would lend an ear. He was boastfully proud of his three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Larry was also known for his love of food while maintaining his beanpole like figure. He always asked why everyone constantly brought him food which was met with a laugh because the answer was an obvious "Because you eat it all." He enjoyed playing cards with his family and the occasional night out at the casinos. He loved road trip family vacations and later traveling with Lucy to places like Branson, MO, Las Vegas, NV and Palm Springs, CA.

Larry had the brightest smile and most easy-going personality. Everyone liked him and he never met a stranger – all were welcome, a good meal, a good Western movie and being surrounded by his family was all he needed to make him happy. In the years after losing Lucy, he looked forward to holidays spent with family, Saturday mornings with Larry, and the extra time Nancy and Debbie spent taking care of him until the end. He was a good man from the beginning which laid the groundwork for being a great man. He is tremendously missed already, but his family takes comfort in knowing he has been reunited with his love, Lucy, and other family members.

Pallbearers will be Frank Pendleton, Eddie Malaponti, Chuck Searle, Russell Shankland, Sam Hall, Josh Hall.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Nick DiGirlamo, Tom DiGirlamo, Tom Morgan, Darold Crist, Rick Van Dolan, Jim Flannigan, Asa King, Raymond Crowder, Richard Marascuilo, Tommy Carl Malaponti, Tom, and Charles Malaponte, Louie Malaponti, Eric Van Buskirk, Mike Morris, and Bryon Pendleton.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com