Larry Lee Lutz

Larry Lutz, 86, of Seymour, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Larry Lee Lutz was born in Harris, Missouri, on April 4, 1937, the eldest son of Louis and Dorothy (Klinginsmith) Lutz.   He attended schools and graduated from Unionville High School in 1955. He then attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Education.  Larry married Marie Baker in 1958, and to this union was born Thomas, Jeffrey, and Kimberly.  He later married Jan Clontz and gained a daughter, Bonnie, and two sons, Jim and Tim.  Larry and Jan designed and built the timber frame home that Larry still lived in at the time of his death.

Larry was instrumental in developing one of the first high school vocational programs in the state in Hannibal, Missouri.  He then worked in vocational education as director at the state level before moving to Camdenton, Missouri where he designed, built, and was director of the Lake area Vo-tech school.  He had a knack for setting up these programs to make them hands on and more interesting for students. Larry was a key mentor in helping the careers for tens of thousands of young individuals learning life skills.  He also enjoyed teaching his kids, grandkids, and others who wanted to learn about woodworking, gunsmith, and blacksmithing.  He was an active member of BAM association. He loved making blacksmith hearts to give away as well as cut roses from his garden.  Larry loved to go canoeing and fly fishing when he was younger. In later years Larry enjoyed spending time with Amber Michael and take small trips in his Mazda Miata whenever possible.  He also enjoyed going with Jeff to check cattle and help with projects in the machine shop.

Larry is survived by his children, Thomas (Debbie) Lutz of Jefferson City, Missouri; Jeffrey (Sandy) Lutz of Powersville, Missouri; and Kimberly (Jim) Hamilton of Houston, Texas.  His five grandchildren are Wendy (Jesse) Bruemmer, Daniel (Julia) Lutz, Eric (Nicole) Lutz, Nicole (Tyson) Polsdofer, and Jessica (Nathan) Wells.  Larry is survived by 11 great grandchildren: Elijah, Jeremiah, and Adelina Bruemmer; Elexa & Myles Lutz; Peyton Lutz, Cody & Emily Polsdofer; and Tyne, Royce, and Lawrence Wells.

Per Larry’s wishes, he was cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville is in charge of arrangements.