Larry William Cook

Funeral services for Larry William Cook of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Rosary 5 p.m. Monday, January 26 with visitation 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in St. Ludger's Cemetery, Germantown, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Adrian Rural Fire Department, Adrian, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Larry William Cook, age 64 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, January 19, 2026 at his home. He was born June 6, 1961 to Estle Anthony and Loretta Ellen Boehler Cook in Clinton, Missouri.
Larry, one of six children, grew up in rural Bates County, around Ballard, Missouri. He attended grade school at St. Mary's Catholic School in Montrose, Missouri and graduated from Ballard High School in 1979. Larry married the love of his life and best friend, Lori Dickerson, on September 25, 1981 and to this union, three children were born, Allison, Rachel and Landon. Larry spent his younger years working for Tiona Truck Line, P & M Coal Company and UPS. He then chose to farm full time, discovering his true calling and passion alongside his second love, a 1086 tractor. Once farming and running the cattle and pig operation full time, Larry often said "I never worked a day in my life."
When not working the farm, Larry enjoyed the simple pleasures in life whether that was spending time with his family, fishing or relaxing in his "apartment" with Gem. The "apartment" was his man-cave that he had built in a corner of his shed, with a south facing glass wall he could watch the cattle from, a backwards bay window that kept his BBQ grill out of the weather and a couch for him and Gem to nap on. Larry was a friend to everyone, able to carry on conversations for hours–both necessarily and unnecessarily. He loved to host get-togethers and cook elaborate meals for anyone who showed up. Larry could often be heard saying, "If I had known having grandkids was this great, I would have had them first." His memory will live on for years to come as family and friends gather to tell stories of his life and their time with him.
Larry affectionately called Lori his cougar wife, whom he is survived by. He is also survived by two daughters, Allison Pugh and husband Cory and Rachel Oates and husband Eric all Adrian, Missouri; one son, Landon Cook and wife Kristina of Butler, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Brooklynn and Riley Pugh, Liam and Raquel Oates and Lincoln, Leelynn, Kordelia and Layton Cook; siblings, Donald Cook, Barbara Morgan and husband Larry, Kenneth Cook and Sharon McElwain; nieces, nephews, cousins and other family; and his black lab, Gem. Larry was preceded in death by a grandson, Parker Cory Pugh; his parents; niece, Angela Hammond (missing since 1991); two sisters-in-law, Marsha Cook and Cindy Cook; and brother-in-law, Bill McElwain.
"We've got this dad, we'll always close the gate."