Larry D. Basgall, age 83, passed peacefully into the arms of God, Wednesday, August 10th.
Larry was a Western Kansas kid, having grown up in Lacrosse, Kansas. He loved talking about his life on the farm with his Grandpa and Grandma, and the time he spent in “town” after they moved so he could be closer to school. One of his favorite childhood stories to tell was how he caught a field on fire while playing with matches but was never punished—most likely because they knew he was in shock! He also talked fondly about the many family dinners at his grandparents' house, where the older folks spoke German and played games.
Larry and his wife, Ann, raised their kids and lived in the same house in Shawnee, Kansas for 50 years. He loved spending time in his yard—forever picking up sticks from the many trees on his property. He also spent a good amount of time taking care of the “livestock” he tended: like the birds he fed that his wife loved to watch; or the many, many squirrels he relocated to the nearby park in the never-ending attempt to keep them off of the bird feeders; or the moles that dared enter his property who were permanently relocated; even the occasional black snake he’d carry back into the woods when they got too close to his house (or in his neighbor’s kitchen!). At one point he took care of more than 200 goldfish in his small pond, and every year he would catch the fish and bring them inside for the winter.
He also had a silly side, especially with his wife, and there were many times he would shuffle his feet and do a little dance in the kitchen with Ann saying, “Oh no, Dad has happy feet.” His quiet strength and presence provided his family with the ultimate love, stability, and security they were so lucky to experience. There were so many everyday moments, that are now very sweet memories, of his time spent with his kids.... playing basketball on the driveway with his son or just making his daughter an omelet for breakfast before taking her to school after she missed the bus. He was a truly honorable man.
Larry worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, at the “Center” in Olathe for 48 years— first as an Air Traffic Controller for 20 years and then in the Data Department. Before that, he was a radarman in the US Navy aboard the USS Brush and was decorated with a Good Conduct Medal. He re-enlisted for 2 years and spent that time in Ground Control Approach/Radar at the US Naval Air Station in Olathe, KS. He worked a combined total of 55 years for the Federal Government between the Navy and the FAA.
Larry leaves behind his daughter, Kathy Basgall Bennett (Shawnee, KS); beloved sister-in-law, Becky Hanna (Lenexa, KS); grandchildren, Nicholas and Meagan; and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Ann, his wife of 55 years; David Basgall, his son; brother-in-law, Tim Hanna; mother, Theckla Schmidt Basgall; father,William Basgall; stepmother, Ester Basgall; and his grandparents.
Visitation (Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Lenexa, KS): Thursday, August 18, 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Service (Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS): Thursday, August 18, 10:30 a.m.
Graveside (Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, 23215 W 75th St, Shawnee, KS): Will follow the Memorial Service