Larry Dean Voyles, age 72 of La Plata, MO, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in the comfort of his home.
Born December 7, 1948 in Kirksville, MO, Larry was the firstborn to Loy Edward and Ruby Ellen (Snow) Voyles, and later joined by two sisters. In his youth, Larry loved working on his Uncle Roger Snow’s farm and Uncle D.Taylor’s farm helping harvest. He obtained his early education in Kirksville and was a 1966 graduate of La Plata High School. On November 12, 1966 he married his high-school sweetheart, Cora Lea Pippin who survives.
Also surviving are two children, Lynn Edward Voyles of Columbia, MO, and Lisa Dawn McHenry and husband, Steven of La Plata, MO; two grandsons, Gunnar Dean McHenry and Gage David McHenry; two sisters, Karen (Glenn) Wood and Debra (Gary) Simmons, both of La Plata, MO; sister-in-law, Verna Buck; brothers-in-law, Virgil Pippin, Glen (Sherry) Pippin, Loren (Patsy) Pippin, Jerry (Jeannie) Thomas, all of La Plata, MO, and Ronnie Brown of Linwood, KS; one aunt, Lola Belle Snyder of Kirksville, MO; several beloved nieces and nephews and their families; and many cousins and friends. He enjoyed the company of his and his wife’s extended families and many long-time friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Loy E. “Hop” and Ruby Voyles; an infant son, David Dean Voyles; sisters and brothers-in-law, Stella and Bill Tuggle, Bobby Buck, Peggy Thomas, Judy Brown and Colleen Pippin.
In their earlier years they enjoyed square dancing on Saturday nights with his parents, family and friends. For over 40 years, they went dancing, spent the summers camping, and enjoyed tractor pulls, pony pulls and rodeos. Larry served in the U.S. Army from March 1969 to March 1971. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and served in the transportation department. He continued in that profession driving for Ruddell Gas Co. for 11 years with his father and then MFA Oil for 21 years, taking over as plant manager after his father retired. Larry enjoyed his customers with MFA and the memories made working with his MFA employees. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Kirksville and the First Baptist Church of La Plata. Larry found his Lord and Savior at the beginning of his declining health due to heart failure. He received the Gift of Life being the recipient of a heart transplant in August 2005 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He loved his family and a blessing in his illness was time he got to spend with his two grandsons since their births.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in La Plata with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. before services. Masks and seating in family/friend groupings are suggested.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of LaPlata or Compassus Hospice Services of Macon. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.