Larry was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma, to Ed and Mildred Cavener and was raised in a little two bedroom, one bath home with his two brothers in Ada, Oklahoma. He attended East Central University for three years on a football scholarship, leaving prior to his last year to pursue his dreams in a big city, and we all feel very fortunate that he chose Kansas City! Larry first worked at Thomas McCann Selling shoes, eventually becoming manager of several different locations. He then moved on to real estate sales for several years at Kroh Brothers Realtors and to managing a ReMax sales office before settling into his final career as a mortgage loan originator, and moving up to managing several different mortgage banking firms.
He married Barbara Carlson and they raised two daughters over their 30 years of marriage. He loved his girls dearly and coached both of them in fast pitch softball. Through his daughters, he has kept up with some of the members of his teams, who still call him Coach when they see him. In 2004, he married Elaine Snook, and they had almost 19 years together before his passing.
Aside from being a very good football player in his youth, Larry was recognized in his hometown as excellent in tennis, and he would take on anyone in a ping-pong match. He played softball as an adult, playing with the same group of guys until he was over 50 years old, and he was finally forced to stop due to knee problems. He was an avid Royals fan throughout his entire life, rarely missing a game on TV, even when the team was losing, and enjoyed season tickets located just behind the Royals dugout for many years. He was very proud of the fact that he owned every single Royals bobble-head issued through 2022 among his vast collection of baseball items. In addition, he was a strong Chiefs Fan – again holding season tickets for many years and collecting many football jerseys and other memorabilia. Besides the professional team interests, Larry rooted loud and long for his Oklahoma Sooners!!!
For most of his adult life, Larry loved playing golf with his many friends, utilizing most of the public golf courses in the Kansas City area. He cherished his membership at Wolf Creek Golf Club, where his handicap got to be as low as 8. He and his golfing buddies took several golf trips to distant courses including trips to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and one to the Gulf Coast.
He also took up shooting Skeet regularly, collecting quite a few shotguns over the years, and rarely missed a Tuesday taking off to Adrian, Missouri for the day.
Larry began vacationing with his parents and brothers most years in Colorado, and considered that to be his happy place. He continued that with his family later in life, as well, preferring that venue to anywhere else. He also took two cruises – one to the Caribbean and, his favorite, Alaska. There was also Las Vegas – he did love to gamble.
Larry loved his little country church, St. Francis of Assisi in the Pines Episcopal Church, where he as a former Vestry member and formed many additional friendships.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ronnie and Tim Cavener. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Robyn Schraden (Jody); daughter, Natalie Cavener; step-daughters, Kathryn Stang (Mike), Heather Kosinski (Rob); and grandsons, Tyler Schraden, Austin Stang, Dylan Stang, Henry Stang, Ryan Kosinski and Matthew Kosinski; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life will be from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at the Falcon Ridge Clubhouse, 20140 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66220. The family encourages you to bring along your "Larry stories" to share with everyone.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Cavener family.
