Obituary for Larry Albert Gunner
Larry Albert Gunner, beloved husband, uncle, cousin, and friend, left this world for his heavenly home on March 1, 2023.
Larry was born December 5, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri to Albert and Vera (Rainwater) Gunner. After the death of his
father in WW2, Larry moved with his mother to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and eventually Springfield, Missouri where he
attended Springfield High School (now Central High School) and later received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from
Drury University and served in the Missouri National Guard.
Larry was the embodiment of a servant leader known for his love of meeting new friends and working to make everyone
feel welcome. He would share tales of working from a young age at Marx Clothing Company and the youthful
adventures he took in and around southern Missouri. But Larry’s favorite story was about life’s greatest adventure he
shared with his wife of 57 years and the love of his life, Anis (Baltz) Gunner. Together, after a series of jobs in Little Rock and back to Springfield they purchased Weaver’s Furniture & Interior Design in Hollister, MO, where he and Anis served
southern Missouri and Northwest Arkansas until they retired after 24 years. Larry continued his passion for interior
design, working post-retirement for many years with The Lighthouse Gallery in Springfield before arriving at his next
great calling, his volunteer work with Wesley United Methodist Church and Crosslines of Springfield. Many members of
his church family recount their very first experience at Wesley was a warm welcome from Larry Gunner. He also became
affectionately known to the public as “Uncle Larry” at All About Dogs & Cats, where he volunteered his time and love
spoiling visiting dogs.
Survivors include Larry’s best friend and constant companion, his dog Blue, cousin Dorothy Ann Rainwater of Columbia,
MO., cousin Rob Nichols of Dallas, TX, a niece and her husband, Leigh and Dennis Daniels of Nixa, MO, a nephew and his wife, Ancel and Melissa Buff of Bradleyville, MO and a host of brothers and sisters in Christ at Wesley United Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank Integrity Hospice for their kind, thoughtful and compassionate care. A Celebration of Life
will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church with Reverend Michael McIntyre
officiating. The visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the Celebration of Life beginning at 11:00 a.m. A reception will
immediately follow. Private committal services will be at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens under the direction Herman H.
Lohmeyer Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W. Norton Road,
Springfield, MO 65803.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com
Larry was born December 5, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri to Albert and Vera (Rainwater) Gunner. After the death of his
father in WW2, Larry moved with his mother to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and eventually Springfield, Missouri where he
attended Springfield High School (now Central High School) and later received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from
Drury University and served in the Missouri National Guard.
Larry was the embodiment of a servant leader known for his love of meeting new friends and working to make everyone
feel welcome. He would share tales of working from a young age at Marx Clothing Company and the youthful
adventures he took in and around southern Missouri. But Larry’s favorite story was about life’s greatest adventure he
shared with his wife of 57 years and the love of his life, Anis (Baltz) Gunner. Together, after a series of jobs in Little Rock and back to Springfield they purchased Weaver’s Furniture & Interior Design in Hollister, MO, where he and Anis served
southern Missouri and Northwest Arkansas until they retired after 24 years. Larry continued his passion for interior
design, working post-retirement for many years with The Lighthouse Gallery in Springfield before arriving at his next
great calling, his volunteer work with Wesley United Methodist Church and Crosslines of Springfield. Many members of
his church family recount their very first experience at Wesley was a warm welcome from Larry Gunner. He also became
affectionately known to the public as “Uncle Larry” at All About Dogs & Cats, where he volunteered his time and love
spoiling visiting dogs.
Survivors include Larry’s best friend and constant companion, his dog Blue, cousin Dorothy Ann Rainwater of Columbia,
MO., cousin Rob Nichols of Dallas, TX, a niece and her husband, Leigh and Dennis Daniels of Nixa, MO, a nephew and his wife, Ancel and Melissa Buff of Bradleyville, MO and a host of brothers and sisters in Christ at Wesley United Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank Integrity Hospice for their kind, thoughtful and compassionate care. A Celebration of Life
will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church with Reverend Michael McIntyre
officiating. The visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the Celebration of Life beginning at 11:00 a.m. A reception will
immediately follow. Private committal services will be at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens under the direction Herman H.
Lohmeyer Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W. Norton Road,
Springfield, MO 65803.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com