Larry Lee Tingley

Larry Tingley

Larry Tingley, 41, of St. Joseph, MO, (formerly of Unionville, MO) passed away unexpectedly at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO, on Saturday, August 9, 2104.

Larry Lee Tingley was born in Unionville, MO, on April 17, 1973, the son of Clinton and Alice (Ruggles) Tingley. Larry grew up in Unionville and graduated from Putnam County High School in 1991. He moved to St. Joseph where he attended college and began working at Noyes School for boys where he helped troubled youths. He later taught for many years in the St. Joseph School system after graduating from Missouri Western University in St. Joe.

Teaching and children were Larry’s passion. He wanted to be a teacher since he was four years old and he became a devoted and popular elementary school teacher. Larry also loved to cook and to sing. He was popular with his peers and considered “a lady’s man.” Larry worked at various summer jobs while teaching, including at Dollar General Store in St. Joe. Larry taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School in Unionville at Broadlawn Baptist Church in his younger years where he had baptized. Even though he suffered a heart attack at age 30 and a heart transplant at 40, he continued to be active and fully employed. Larry was a giving and caring person.

Larry is survived by his mother, Alice Tingley and his father, Clinton Tingley, both of Unionville, MO. Two brothers, James Tingley and wife Nettie and David Tingley and wife Selena, all of Unionville, also survive as well as two sisters, Lana Phipps of Cincinnati, IA, and Lacie Tingley of Ottumwa, IA. Larry is also survived by his grandmother, Alice Cooley to whom he spoke by phone every day for 12 years. A large extended family also survives, including many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and a godchild, Keelie. Larry will also be well remembered by a host of colleagues, students and friends.

Funeral services for Larry Tingley will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 15, 2014. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 14, from 6:00 -8:00 PM. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to help with costs of the funeral and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.