Larry Dale Collins was born in Gainesville, Missouri, on August 27, 1950. He left this world on Sunday, November 21, 2021, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 71. He lived his early years in Dora, Missouri. His family later moved to West Plains where he graduated from West Plains High School class of 1968. On August 1,1969, Larry married Carolyn Johnson of West Plains and together had one daughter, Amanda Collins.
Larry spent his career working in the produce business as a produce merchandiser. He loved his job and enjoyed traveling to several countries on buying trips. In his spare time, his absolute joy was spending time with family and working in the yard planting the most beautiful flowers. He loved children and dogs. Larry also enjoyed making people laugh. Above all, Larry was a true gentleman. He was a devout Christian and attended Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Springfield, Missouri, or Fair Haven Children’s Home in Strafford, Missouri.
Larry is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of the home, his daughter, Amanda, of Springfield, and their two dachshunds, Sadie and Annie. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Ronnie Johnson and wife, Carolian, two sisters-in-law, Thelma Collins and Linda Collins, two nieces, Terri Hall and Shari Perkins; three nephews, Travis (Marla) Collins, Nathan (Teresa) Collins, all of West Plains, and one nephew, Shane Coe. He is survived by several great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Ethel Collins, two brothers, Donald (Thelma) Collins and Ronald (Linda) Collins, and one sister, Phyllis Coe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Larry’s name to the Humane Society of Springfield, Missouri, or Fair Haven Children’s Home, Strafford, Missouri.
Visitation will be Saturday, November 27, 2021, in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Graveside service will follow the visitation at 2:30 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under
November 24, 2021 @ 9:15 am
Carolyn, Amanda, and the Collins Families,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you on Larry’s passing. May God encourage, strengthen, comfort, and give each of you peace. All of you will be in our daily prayers/thoughts. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
November 24, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
Carolyn and all of Larry’s family, we are very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
November 25, 2021 @ 9:38 am
Carolyn and family, we are so very sorry for your loss and are holding you up in prayer. May God bless and comfort you all.
November 25, 2021 @ 1:58 pm
So sorry to hear. I had some great times with Larry Dale when we were kids. I remember staying at his parents house as a kid and still remember well the last time Larry, Ronnie and Donald Ray, uncle Lester and dad (Donald Epley) and I (Roger Epley) went quail hunting in West Plains. Wow what wonderful memories! May God bless those loved ones left behind in this time of loss.
November 25, 2021 @ 8:25 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a wonderful friend. Love and prayers for Carolyn and Amanda! ❤?
November 25, 2021 @ 8:35 pm
We are so sorry to learn of Larry passing. Our deepest condolences. We are keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.
November 25, 2021 @ 8:47 pm
We are deeply saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. I am privileged to have hunted quail with him, and still remember some of the corny jokes he told. May God’s hands reach down and comfort the family at this trying time. Your family will be in our prayers!
November 26, 2021 @ 8:35 am
Carolyn and Mandy,
So very sorry for your loss. My fondest memory is the beautiful flowers he always planted in front of your house. I sometimes purposely drove by on my way home from GHS just to see.
Prayers.
Chris Knisley
November 26, 2021 @ 9:34 am
Philip and I are so sorry about Larry’s passing but we are so glad that he is not suffering now. We have many pleasant memories about Larry and always enjoyed his humor! It was good to visit with you last night.
November 26, 2021 @ 11:39 am
Carolyn,
My deepest condolences to you & Amanda♥️ Larry was a kind soul all his life & enjoyed our friendship throughout the grocery business days!
My thoughts & prayers are with you & Amanda♥️
November 26, 2021 @ 8:06 pm
Carolyn:
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. You and your daughter will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Suzanne Allhands
November 27, 2021 @ 8:19 am
Carolyn and Mandy: There are no words…… Larry loved you two beyond words and fought a very long fight to stay and protect you. He was loved by so many and will certainly watch over us from his new home. Love you both!
December 5, 2021 @ 4:17 pm
Larry is always in a good mood. If someone is making a comment that could be embellished, it was Larry. You could tell that a funny comment was coming when he hide that smile until it was time to unload his comment. He, and his family, were and are faithful members of the Sunset Church of Christ. He and Carolyn opened their home to Church Zone Meetings even invite them to take a swim in their manufactured pool. When he made trips to South America to purchase produce items, he brought back some for Zone members to sample.
It must have been a great struggle in his later years with his lung condition, but with determination, he still made it to church if possible. I admire the love and devotion of the family in the recent years as they surely knew the future.
Today’s Remembrance Service 12/5/2021 was carried out in a very honorable and informative way.
Carolyn and Mandy – You have our love. If we can be of any assistance, please let us know!