Edward Lawrence "Larry" Winn III

1943 - 2022

Edward Lawrence "Larry" Winn III
February 17, 1943 - December 9, 2022
Overland Park, Kansas - Larry Winn III, 79, passed away on December 9. He was born February 17, 1943 in Kansas City, MO to former U.S. Representative Larry Winn, Jr. and Joan Elliott Winn. Larry grew up in Leawood, KS, his childhood filled with sports, outdoor games in the neighborhood and summer vacations to Colorado with five Winn kids and a dog packed into their parents' station wagon. He graduated in 1961 from Shawnee Mission East High School where he participated in football and track. As a Boy Scout, Larry rose to the rank of Eagle and received even higher honors as an adult for his continued support of Scouting activities. He was recognized as an Honorary Warrior in 1989, awarded Silver Beaver in 1991 and then membership in the Mic-O-Say leadership program.
He was a third generation Jayhawk at Kansas University and a proud member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Larry earned a BS in Economics and went on to KU Law School. After his first year, he married Jill Anderson of Garden City, KS. Jill would be his wife and life partner for the next 56 years. Upon receiving his law degree in 1968, Larry joined the Bennett Lytle law firm in Prairie Village, where he practiced zoning and real estate law and later became a partner in the firm. During this period, Larry and Jill welcomed the birth of their sons Lance and Chris.
In 1994, Larry joined the Polsinelli law firm as a partner and continued to provide expert legal services to clients in real estate development. During his career, he secured the approval of the original Sprint campus, two regional malls, more than a dozen neighborhood retail centers, countless single family developments, 4,500 multi-family homes, elder-care facilities and regional office facilities. Larry practiced law for over 43 years and was well respected by his peers and clients. He was listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Real Estate Law and one of the 50 Most Influential People in the Kansas City Metro Area by Ingram's Magazine. After retiring from law, Larry became a consultant to the BHC civil engineering firm, furthering his involvement in development projects for the community and providing years of industry knowledge and valuable insights.
Larry was a staunch advocate for the Kansas City region and took pride in bringing groups together to improve the quality of life for its residents. He had a particular interest in education and was elected to the Shawnee Mission School Board, becoming its president. He co-founded the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, twice awarded its Patron Award, and went on to co-chair the Committee for Excellence. He was chair or co-chair for several Johnson County bond and capital campaigns aimed at supporting schools and expanding parks, libraries and other public facilities. He led successful campaigns to build an endowment fund for the Johnson County Community College and a capital improvement fund for the Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Larry served as Chair of the Johnson County Airport Commission, president of the 19-county Heart of America Council of Boy Scouts, president of the Phi Kappa Psi House Endowment Association, board member for Kansas City Public Television, and chairman of the Third District Republican Party. His civic leadership also included serving as president of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce where he received the 2017 Ben Craig Vision Award. He served as board president of the American Cancer Society of Johnson County, honored twice as their Man of the Year. Larry and his brother Bob helped start what became the American Cancer Society Bob Winn golf tournament.
Larry was an avid sports fan and a passionate – at times too passionate – supporter of KU and the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. He applied that same passion to his golf game but, as his "dawn patrol" companions would attest, he fell slightly short of mastering the sport. Larry and Jill loved to travel in the U.S and overseas with family and friends. In his law practice and community activities, Larry made many good friends, professional and personal, and he was always happy to help family and friends make contacts and become active in the community.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Joan Winn, and his brother Robert Elliott (Bob) Winn. He is survived by his wife Jill; his sons Lance (Mary) and Chris (Robyn); his brother Doug (Julee) and sisters Janet (Tim) and Cindy; and his five grandchildren in whom he took great pride: Una, Henry, Trenton, Kaytlyn, and Kynley. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially family and friends.
A celebration of Larry's life will be held after the holidays on a date to be announced. The family suggests contributions to: Shawnee Mission Education Foundation (smef.org/donate), or KU Endowment, P.O Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 (KUendowment.org.)