Larry Gene Fairbanks

The family of Larry Fairbanks is saddened to announce his passing on the afternoon of March 8, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. Larry was born to Chester and Marie Fairbanks on August 15, 1938 in Lamar, Missouri.

Larry was the eldest of six siblings: Larry, Robert, Janice, Tom, Steve, and Ronald. Larry, Robert, and Janice spent four years in the care of the Sisters of St. Francis Convent and Orphanage in Nevada, Missouri while their father worked on the railroad. Larry always spoke fondly of his grade school years with the Sisters and loved working on the Convent farm. In 1950, the three siblings, Larry, Janice and Robert, moved out of the convent and back with their father and his new wife, Doris.

In 1956, Larry and Iris “Janie” Miller from Walker, Missouri were married and moved to Kansas City. Their first child, Storma, was born in 1957, and their second, Shane, was born in 1961. Larry was immensely proud to have served in the Missouri National Guard from 1956-1961.

Larry spent 35 years working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City and was proud of his long career there. He held various management positions—including computerizing inventory management—in the 1970s. Larry and Janie retired to Surprise, Arizona in 2000.

He was devoted to Janie, and they spent nearly 70 years together raising their family, which included children, grandchildren, and, eventually, great-grandchildren. Larry enjoyed reading and golfing. He never missed his grandson Peter’s baseball games and loved listening to his granddaughter, Lia, play the violin. He loved sharing his favorite bluegrass and banjo tunes with granddaughters Cassandra and Savannah Rose, who enjoyed singing along. Larry was always proud of his life and family and enjoyed sharing stories and photos.

He is survived by his wife Janie; brothers Robert and Steve; children Storma and Shane (and wife, Jane); grandchildren Peter, Cassandra, Savannah Rose, and Lia; and great-grandchildren Isak and Lotte.

Per Larry’s wishes, there will be no funeral service at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those wishing to honor Larry’s memory consider a donation to the Sisters of St. Francis or Tunnel to Towers.

https://www.osfholyeucharist.org/donations

T2T.org