Larry Ray Pike

Larry was born on February 7, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Estell and Marjorie (Schaller) Pike. He grew up in Missouri City and graduated from Excelsior Springs High School with the Class of 1969.

On October 24, 1970, Larry married his grade school sweetheart and the love of his life, Pamela Berry. Together they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on love, laughter, faith, and family. Shortly after their marriage, Larry proudly answered the call to serve his country when he was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1971.

Following his military service, Larry began a career with Dawn Foods in the baking industry in 1974. Through more than four decades of hard work before retiring in 2016, he became known as someone who believed in showing up, working hard, and providing for the people he loved.

Retirement was everything Larry hoped it would be. He and Pam enjoyed traveling together, taking cruises, camping, spending winters in Texas, and making memories wherever life took them. He loved fishing and was rarely far from his faithful companion, Gracie.

To know Larry was to know laughter. He had an unforgettable sense of humor, a quick wit, and a talent for delivering the perfect one-liner when you least expected it. His jokes—sometimes a little inappropriate, always perfectly timed—became legendary among family and friends. If you ever found yourself shaking your head and asking, “What is wrong with you?” after something Larry said, chances are he had accomplished exactly what he set out to do: make you laugh.

Larry never met a stranger. He was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have—the one who always had time to visit, lend a hand, or brighten someone’s day with a joke. The neighborhood kids adored him, and he proudly became the “Grandpa of the Neighborhood,” always ready with a smile, a laugh, or a story. Above everything else, Larry's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. The memories he created, the traditions he helped build, and the laughter he shared will continue to bring comfort and smiles for generations.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Estell and Marjorie Pike; his sons, Jeffrey Pike and Jason Pike; his brother, Ron Pike; and his sister, Gayle Frost.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Pamela Pike; his sons, Larry "Joe" Pike (Lindsay) and Shawn Glaze (Wendy); his grandchildren, Charlotte Pike, Kaitlyn Canon (Andrew), Logan Glaze (Kat), and Brennan Glaze (Madison); his great-grandchildren, Adalyn, Ryker, Elsie, Asher, and Grayson; his brother, John Pike; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, neighbors, and dear friends whose lives were made better by knowing him.

Those who knew Larry know he wouldn’t want us to spend all our time being sad. He’d want us to tell the stories, laugh at the jokes, share a fishing tale or two, and enjoy being together. So that’s exactly what we’ll do. Every time someone smiles, tells one of Larry’s legendary one-liners, or shakes their head and says, “What is wrong with you?” his memory will live on. That is the legacy of a life well lived and deeply loved.