Larry James Cansler

Larry James Cansler was born to Pruitt Hershel and Nettie Opal "Broyles" Cansler on September 21, 1938, in Long Lane, MO. He passed away at his home in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the age of 87.

He grew up on a farm in Long Lane, Missouri, where he developed a love for caring for animals, especially milking cows.

He married Virginia Sue Frazier of Buffalo, Missouri, and together they had three children, Kayla Gwen, Twyla Lynn, and Kelly Jay. In 196,3 they accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and became members of the SDA church in Peoria, IL. It was there that Larry began his ministry as a literature evangelist.

Larry later moved his family to Georgia, where he spent two years as a student at the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute. He then served an additional year on staff as a teacher and as director of the institute's evangelism program.

In 1972, Larry was named Literature Evangelist of the Year for the Central Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (CO, KS, MO, NE, and WY), having sold $24,000 in literature and baptizing 16 people.

Following this, he became the pastor for the Nevada, Missouri SDA Church, where he baptized 103 people in just one year and four months. He was then invited by the Missouri Conference to serve as their full-time evangelist.

As an evangelist, Larry served in three SDA conferences. After 14 years of full-time evangelism, he transitioned into pastoral ministry. Throughout his career, his work took him to Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. He retired from full-time ministry in Joplin, Missouri, where he lived until 2025.

In 2013, after 56 years of marriage, his wife, Sue, passed away. Larry later married Mavis Lee Nusser of Loveland, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue; his daughter Kayla Gwen Kokalis; his granddaughter, Jennifer Sue Churchill; his parents, Pruitt H. Cansler (1989), Nettie Cansler (1996); his brothers Gleamon Murf Cansler, Leland Vance Cansler, Loman Doyle Cansler, Ralph Eugene Cansler, Gary Freeman Cansler; and his sister, Oleta Ailene Franklin.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Mavis Cansler; his daughter Twyla Lynn Little (Johnny) of Diamond, MO; his son, Kelly Jay Cansler (Tina) of Paris, TX; his sister, Loreta Nadine McFarland of Ava, MO; grandchildren, Deanna Kolodka (Ben) of Three Forks, MT, Amanda Churchill (Kenny Laporte) of Willis, MI, Kolby Cansler of Dallas, TX, Kolton Cansler (Andalina) of San Marcos, TX, Josh Guest (Dorothy) of Garden City, MI; He is also survived by seven great grandchildren; stepchildren, Tamala Hosey (Blaine), Timothy Dull, Todd Dull (Lisa); 5 step grandchildren; and 9 step great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on March 6th, 2026, at Joplin Missouri Seventh Day Adventist Church. Pastor Neil Dye will officiate. Larry will be laid to rest at The Memorial Gardens of Memory in Buffalo, Missouri.