Larry Frederick Dennison

Born to Lena and Denny Dennison on October 29, 1936 at their home in Kirksville, Missouri, now part of the campus of Truman University. He would return to Kirksville for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Larry was raised in Hannibal, Missouri and often told Tom Sawyer like tales of his boyhood. After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a photographer in Alaska prior to its statehood.

An engineer with Ford Motor Company at the Hazelwood Mercury Plant, Larry was always a proud Ford man. He liked (and could fix) anything with a motor. He began teaching industrial arts at Ft. Zumwalt (he really did love those 8th graders!), though for most of his tenure he enjoyed shepherding his seniors into career pathways at South High in the Parkway School District.

A lifelong musician, he played almost any instrument he picked up, and knew tunes by ear. He played guitar with his rock band, trumpet with Dixieland jazz bands, but for his own enjoyment, he played piano. Every day. He hauled a piano to the cabin in Canada. Boldly, he played the accordion on his boat. He never passed by a piano (or calliope) he didn’t play whether in a barbershop or a museum. He would draw a crowd.

Memories of Larry will be held forever in the hearts of his family: his wife of 62 years, Luanne; his beloved children, Lisa Luanne Dennison and Larry F. Dennison Jr. (Cyndi); his cherished grandchildren, Samantha, Christian (deceased), Christiana, Samuel and Daniel. He is survived by his brother Randle Dennison (Virginia) and his sister Anita Oberwetter (Jim) and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 6, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 13014 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Missouri, 63141. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. The church service begins at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon immediately following.

Burial is Tuesday, May 7, 2024 1:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.