Larry Yoakum

Larry E. Yoakum (69) was born in Excelsior Springs, MO to Jim and Mabel (Coates) Yoakum on June 4, 1955. Larry was the middle child of 2 sisters, Karen and Vicki. He grew up in Excelsior Springs and was a member of the graduating class of 1973. In 1975, he married Mavis who would become the mother of his 2 children, Cassandra and Katrina. Larry proudly served his nation as a member of the Army from 1975-1981 where he was Honorably Discharged for his service. Throughout most of his young adult years, Larry worked construction and carpentry jobs, which led him to working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) where he became an active member of the APWU (American Postal Workers Union) serving as a union steward. Larry retired from employment due to disability from the years of hard, manual labor where he moved to the Lake of the Ozarks area to retire in an oasis of his making. While living at the Lake of the Ozarks, Larry passed the time by shooting guns, riding his four wheeler, and playing with his dog, Bobo.
Throughout his life, Larry made time to volunteer his talents to Habitat for Humanity and many Christmas in October events. He was known for his generosity in the way he would answer the call to any of his friends in need and brightened the days of many with simple gestures of kindness. He was a talented artist, and put those talents on display when helping friends build new additions to their homes, helping his kids with school projects, or when dazzling others with delectable dishes of his own concoction. A true child of the 1960s, Larry also enjoyed riding his Harley and feeling the breeze through his ponytailed hair, listening to rock 'n roll music, and towing the line with civil disobedience.
Whether he will admit it or not, his crowning achievement in life were his two daughters, Cassandra Smith (Scott) and Katrina Yoakum (Mark), because they gave him his two grandchildren, Makinley Smith and Felix Aubrey. Lil' Mak and Lil' Man brought countless joy to Larry as he was able to reminisce on the nostalgia of childhood and the beauty of second chances. He was incredibly proud of his granddaughter, Makinley, and looked forward to her future in the medical field. He was, likewise, ecstatic of having a grandson to fish and shoot with.
Larry will always be remembered for being the life of the party who was always ready with a story and a stream of expletives. He was ornery, oh my goodness, was he ornery! He would get a twinkle in those mesmerizing, blue eyes before he would give a smirk and a wink, which usually led to belly laughs. He was also stubborn to his core and wouldn't listen to anyone about anything when his mind was made up, even when he was wrong, which was more often than he ever admitted. He died on the morning of September 27, 2024 in Osage Beach, MO while holding his daughters hands as they comforted and consoled him as he drifted into eternal slumber.
A Celebration of Life honoring Larry will be held at Dubious Claims Brewing Company from 4pm-7pm on Saturday, November 2nd. Dubious Claims is located at 451 S. Thompson Ave. in Excelsior Springs, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 1270 S Business Route 5, Camdenton, MO 65020 (573) 346-2090. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.