Larry Eugene Lein

Larry Eugene Lein was born on December 27, 1940 at the family home on a farm near Slater, Iowa as the second child to Orlin and Arlene (Christianson) Lein. After moving briefly to Polk City, they settled at a farm outside of Kelley, Iowa.

He attended Kelley Elementary (grades 1-6), Huxley Junior High (grades 7-8), and Huxley High School, graduating in 1958. Larry was active in his local community participating in 4-H from age 10-16 and FFA during high school. A well-rounded athlete, young Larry played second base on his high school baseball team, guard for the basketball team, and ran the 440 and threw the discus on the track and field team.

In the fall of 1958, Larry began study at Iowa State University. While there he participated in the Air Force ROTC and the Platoon Leaders Class for the US Marine Corps. Developing a life-long interest in the martial arts, Larry was a founding member of the ISU Judo Club in 1960. He would go on to achieve the ranks of 3rd-degree black belt in Judo, 1st-degree black belt in Taekwondo, 4th-degree black belt in Hapkido, and 5th-degree black belt in Shinjitai Jujitsu.

On November 23, 1963, Larry graduated from ISU with his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Marines, and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Reinertson.

Larry and Mary Jo moved to Virginia following their wedding, where Larry entered the USMC Basic School at Quantico. As an officer, he would serve at the Santa Ana Air Facility in Costa Mesa, California, train as an air controller, then move to Camp Pendleton. Larry served his country in Vietnam from 1967-1968, Okinawa, Japan in 1968, and in the USMC Reserves from 1968-69. He ended his service to the Marines as a Captain. During this time, Larry and Mary Jo welcomed their two children into the world, Christopher in 1966 and Melinda in 1969.

In 1970, Larry began working for the FBI as a special agent, training in Quantico, Virginia before assuming his first post in the Tampa, Florida office. In 1971, the Lein family moved back to Virginia where Larry worked in the Alexandria field office and then as Special Agent in Charge of the Manassas field office. During this time, he earned his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Larry was transferred in 1980 to the Kansas City office. The Leins settled in Kearney, Missouri, happy to be in the Midwest and closer to extended family in Iowa.

During his 25-year career with the Bureau, Larry worked as a surveillance pilot, served on the SWAT team, functioned as a firearms instructor as well as an instructor of defensive tactics, and frequently worked undercover on a variety of cases. Before his retirement in 1994, Larry received a special commendation from CIA Director, Robert Gates, for excellence in cooperative efforts between the FBI and CIA.

Once retired, Larry began Law Enforcement Security Trainers (LEST) in partnership with his son, Chris, a Kansas City police officer. Larry and Jo moved to Kansas City, building their dream home on an acreage “next door” to son, Chris, and his family.

A life-long Lutheran, Larry was an active member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Kansas City, where he served as an elder for eight years, helped as needed with building and grounds work (including the Preschool Playground), and even lent his tenor voice to the choir. Outside law enforcement, martial arts, and church service, Larry enjoyed camping, woodworking, and reading (especially westerns and military history). As a devoted family man, Larry deeply loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Stone, and sister, Julie Lundgren. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 63 years, Mary Jo; son, Chris (Lisa) Lein; daughter, Melinda Lein; grandchildren, Ashley (Rudy) Jones and Taylor (Kate) Lein; great-grandchildren, Everett Jones and Stella Jones; sister, Debbie (John) Sauser; and numerous nieces and nephews. Larry dedicated his life to God, family, and country throughout his 85 years.

Visitation will be held at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1701 N.E. 96th St., Kansas City, MO 64155, on August 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at the same location at 11:00 a.m. A Committal Service will take place in Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Rd, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048, on August 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your donations to King of Kings Lutheran Early Learning Center (kingofkingskc.org) and Tunnels 2 Towers (dogood.t2t.org).