Larry Leon Crooks

Larry Crooks, 76, of Blue Eye, MO, (formally of Livonia, MO) passed away unexpectedly at the Cox Medical Center in Branson, MO, on Saturday, June 25, 2016.

Larry Leon Crooks was born in Livonia, MO, on February 28, 1940, the son of Noah and Gretchen “Geneva” (Lloyd) Crooks, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Livonia area and graduated from Livonia High School in 1957. Larry married Shirley Hamilton in Omaha, MO, on November 1, 1958, and she survives at home.

Larry and Shirley began married life in the Kansas City, MO, area where Larry worked at the Buick, Olds, and Pontiac assembly line, Montgomery Ward, and a print company. They returned to Putnam County in 1969 and Larry began farming on the family farm and working with Burroughs (later Standard Register) in Kirksville. They purchased a farm in the Livonia area in 1971 and Larry milked cows and ran a milk route. Later he worked as a mechanic with Missouri Mining in addition to farming. He and Shirley moved to Springfield, MO, in 1990 and Larry worked as a mechanic for Masters and Jackson (later APAC) until his retirement in 2000. He and Shirley then moved to Blue Eye, MO, in 2003, where they ushered for shows at Branson.

Larry had an outgoing and friendly personality. He loved to laugh, had a good sense of humor, and loved to tease; he was “just a little bit ornery.” He also had a never give up attitude. Larry liked to work, but in his spare time he would hunt, especially coon hunt and fox hunt, and work with his jumping mules. Tops on his list, though, was his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the Ozark Mountain Community Church and a 50 year Mason with the Hartford Lodge #171.

Including his wife, other survivors are two sons, Darrell (Pamela) Crooks, of Novinger, MO, and Darren (Natasha) Crooks of Martinstown; and a daughter, Traci (Kenny) Jarman of Willard, MO. Larry’s grandchildren are Michelle Crooks, Jillian Coppin, Caitlin Crooks, Chase Crooks, step-sons Matthew Doane, Kevin Dortch, Krisha Green, DeShann Rexroat, Kari McPherson,Tabitha Jarman, and step-son Jeremy Jarman. Larry’s two great grandchildren are Ryleigh Green and Piper Crooks. He is also survived by a brother, Lloyd (Sandy) Crooks of Merriam, MO.

Funeral services of Larry Crooks will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 10:30 am on Friday, July 1, 2016. Visitation will be Thursday, June 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, with a Masonic service at 7:30. Interment will be at the Martinstown Cemetery, Martinstown, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Novinger Baptist Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.