Larry F. Strait

1945 - 2021

Larry F. Strait, 76, of Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at his home.
Larry was born August 24, 1945, in Bath, New York, to Robert S. Strait and Frances (Youngs) Strait.
Larry graduated from Hammondsport High School in 1963 in Hammondsport, New York. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Vietnam and Korea. He attended Central Missouri State University, being in the first class of Commissioned Officers out of the ROTC program of CMCU in 1968–1969. Larry earned his BS degree in Physical Education, 1970, MS degree in Instructional Media Technology, 1976, and MS degree in Safety, 1978, all from CMSU. He was also an ROTC Instructor at Central Missouri State from 1976-1980. During that time, Larry was united in marriage to Linda Bowland in 1978.
Larry served 21 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Major in 1988. He attended Officers Basic School in Fort Gordon in 1972. After duties in Vietnam and Korea, he served as a Brigade Signal Officer (S-3) and Battalion Officer (Operations S-3) while in Ansbach, Germany (S1-S4 Signal Corp.)
Larry had an American Family Insurance office in Warrensburg in the early 1980s, being hired as an agent by the late Don Alfermann. He became a District Manager for American Family in the Kansas City area and St. Louis. Larry retired as a Farmers Insurance Agent in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2015.
Larry was a devoted fisherman, making several trips to Canada. He took his dad to Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada, on one trip, which was his father's birthplace. He also enjoyed hunting with friends and family in Wyoming, Kansas, the Dakotas, Montana and New York. He earned a German hunting license in February 1983, while stationed in Ansbach, Germany, hunting for years with family and friends. He took many courses and training for a hunting opportunity in this region from 1980-1984.
He liked traveling and vacationing in his home state New York. He made yearly trips to New York, having a campsite for the last 10 years in upstate New York, visiting wineries, fishing, boating, visiting with family and making side trips to Maine and other Eastern states.
Larry supported the CMSU and UCM Mules in basketball and football over a 45-year period, going to all home games, away games and championship games. He also was a fan of the Royals, Chiefs and his beloved Buffalo Bills.
He is survived by his wife: Linda (Bowland) Strait of the home; daughter: Whitney (Strait) and Matthew Smith of Wyoming, Ohio; sons: Lance and Carrie Strait of Parker, Colorado and Derek and Anelia Strait of Centerview, Missouri; sister: Bonnie (Strait) and Albert Mori of Woodbridge, Virginia; grandchildren: Charlotte Smith; Zoe and Declan Strait; Piper and Erma Strait.
Larry was preceded in death by his brothers: Gary Strait, of New York and Richard Strait, of Kansas; sister-in-law: Barbara Strait, of New York; and his parents.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, with visitation one hour prior to service, both at Northside Christian Church in Warrensburg, Missouri, with the Rev. Sid Tiller officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg, Missouri, with military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard, American Legion Post #131 and VFW Post #2513.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association and Northside Christian Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.