Lawrence (Larry) Derks (Buffalo)'s Obituary
Lawrence (Larry) Richard Derks, was born August 23, 1939, in Kansas City, MO, the son of the late Ronald Eugene and the late Anna Mae (Tiedemann) Derks. He departed this life on October 23, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was reared in Merriam, KS and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1957. After graduation, he worked at Monteith Brothers, Paola, KS, rebuilding generators and starters. In 1958 he joined the U.S. Army, serving for three years before ending his Army career in Gary, IN. He then returned to Monteith Brothers. He worked for Western Electric, which later became Lucent Technologies in Lee’s Summit, MO. He retired in 1996, after a 35 year career.
Larry was united in marriage to Connie Mae Hendrickson Fry on April 27, 1968 at the Overland Park Lutheran Church, Overland Park, KS. Four children were born to Larry from a previous union. Connie’s two children were adopted by Larry early in their union.
Larry and Connie made their home in Belton, MO for 30 years, living in the same house all of those years. After retiring from Lucent, they moved to Buffalo, MO in 1998. Larry supervised the building of their home and did much of the work himself. If retirement was ever meant for anyone, it was Larry. He had many hobbies, including building model airplanes, replicas of civil war cannons, model railroading, and collecting “odd objects”. He loved working in his shop, playing with the grandkids, gardening and yardwork, and most of all, his naps!
Larry and his wife, Connie, were active members at South Haven Baptist Church in Belton, MO from 1987 – 1998. It was during their time at South Haven that Larry believed on Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior, and was baptized. Upon moving to Buffalo, MO, Larry and Connie were active members of the Buffalo First Baptist Church from 1999-2018. They began attending Calvary Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in 2019.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Ronald and Anna Mae Derks; daughter Teresa; granddaughters, Ashley Derks and Ashley Emanuel; and grandson Charlie Johnson. Larry is survived by his wife Connie; five children Kurk (Rose) Derks, Tamera Salsberry, Tonya Binga, Ed Derks, Tammie (David) Emanuel; 16 grandchildren: James D., Nichole (Chris), Chamberlain, Dawn (Phil), James J. (Jewels), Payton, K’nea, Christy(Richard) , Jennifer (David), Benjamin (Elaine), Abbigail (Devon), Allison, Sam, Rachel, Joshua, and Jeremiah (Kati); 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother Gerald (Pat) Derks; sister Patricia McConnell. Larry also leaves a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, church family, and friends who will greatly miss him.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in the Calvary Chapel Freewill Baptist Church with Pastors Brandon Mankey and Tim Haupt officiating. Pallbearers will be Kurk Derks, David Emanuel, Jeremiah Emanuel, Harold Hendrickson, Jim Hamilton, and Fred Cuming. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Derks (in absentia), Gerald Derks (in absentia), Curtis McConnell, Jerry Campbell, and Ed Cline. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests Donations be made to in Larry’s name to Smile Train (helping children needing cleft surgery) and Compassus Hospice.
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