Larry was born in Clinton, Missouri on October 27, 1943, to Kenneth Leon Chastain and Dorothy Helen Parks Chastain. He married Suzanne Dennis on January 23, 1965, at Swope Park Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
Larry grew up in Sedalia, Missouri and was a 1961 graduate of Smith Cotton High School. He credited his teachers with his excellent education, particularly in Latin and debate. He remained close to his classmates, enjoying their reunions and other communication. He was a 1966 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Active in both high school and college debate, he loved, as a kid from a little school in Missouri, to beat the debaters from big name schools.
Larry always worked. He began selling eggs from his grandparents’ farms in 1952. The following year he would ride his bike on Saturday mornings to dust shelves and set up displays at his uncle’s gas station. At age 13 he started working at a relative’s grocery store in town. He continued this through high school and college as well as radio work. He hosted a short show during high school before spending two years in college hosting five nights a week from 6 p.m. until midnight. After graduation he taught English, history, and math at Boys Town in St. James, Missouri before entering the Air Force in 1967. There he served as a Captain at the Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas, helping oversee the planning and maintenance of B52 and KC-135 Stratotankers so they were loaded and ready to take off within minutes. He re-entered civilian life in December 1971 to start a career he loved with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Beginning as a marketing trainee, he followed an accelerated pace, eventually serving as an executive until his retirement in 1998. This next season included nine years as a lay representative appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to the committee overseeing the ethical conduct of attorneys in Missouri.
Larry’s trust in Jesus was the bedrock of his life. He became a Christian on March 1, 1953, and was baptized at First Baptist Church Sedalia. Through his adult years he served as a Sunday School teacher, bus ministry captain, Deacon, as well as other areas of involvement at Sterling Acres Baptist Church. He continued to serve at Birchwood and then LifeConnection when the two combined. While confined to bed he shared Jesus, watched a lot of tv, and would tell “just one more story” to listeners. When asked how he was, “Today is the best day of my life,” was his steady answer, no matter his situation, and his actions and attitude supported this statement.
Larry was a devoted husband and father, proud grandfather, protective brother and engaging storyteller. He never met a car or home repair need he couldn’t handle. He enjoyed fishing, golf, travel, and time at his places in Florida and the Lake of the Ozarks before Trigeminal Neuralgia and Multiple Sclerosis kept him closer to home. In every season he followed the news of the day as well as his favorite sports teams.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Suzanne. He is survived by his daughter, Amy (David) Anderson; son, Jay (Melissa) Chastain; and according to his description his five “brilliant and beautiful” granddaughters: Megan, Sophie, and Camille Anderson; Emily and Haley Chastain; sister Peggy Chastain; nieces Heather (Brandon) Gunn, Elizabeth (Jeff) Knipp; nephews Lance (Lana) Wallace, Jeff (Lori) Bogart, as well as other dear family and friends.
Larry’s family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the Wilshire workers present and past who became as close as family during his final five years.
Because of their steadfast support, the family suggests memorial contributions to LifeConnection Church, 3883 Blue Ridge Blvd., Independence, Missouri 64052.
A visitation will be Saturday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
