Larry Dunn

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Larry Gene Dunn, age 86, died at home surrounded by his daughters, on November 23, 2021.

Larry was born September 26, 1935 at home near Middletown, MO to Gordon Caryll and Lura Jarboe Dunn. He attended Whiteside one-room school and graduated from Wellsville-Middletown R-1 High school in 1953 where he served as President of the FFA. As a young man he supplemented his income by trapping and hunting on Coon Creek.

He married Mary Ellen Baugh on February 27, 1955 in Wellsville. He worked for Harbison Walker brick plant in Vandalia, Missouri for a short time after their marriage.

In 1959 he went into partnership with his father-in-law Olin Baugh to form Baugh and Dunn. They began farming several acres in the area for both his father-in-law and his family farm. He also first became associated with the Baugh purebred Montadale flock which has been maintained consistently for the past 75 years. As such, he was a fixture at the National Montadale Sale, Midwest Stud Ram Sale, and Ozark Empire Fair as well as numerous area county fairs. This year marked the 47th consecutive year of Baugh and Dunn Montadales at the Missouri State Fair (with an asterisk for 2020 due to COVID-19). Larry enjoyed watching the 3rd, 4th and 5th generations of Baugh and Dunn showing sheep and was proud of that legacy.

In later years he could be seen in his red GC Dunn and Sons cap, observing the sheep and the kids, and at the end of the line paying for ice cream after the show. He loved the sheep business, but more than that, he loved the people in the business, many of whom he considered family.

Larry was a sports fan, and especially loved watching his children and grandchildren play and coach basketball. Another big part of his life was meeting his friends at the Middletown Coffee Shop to brag on his kids, grandkids and great grandkids, and engage in some (mostly) good-natured ribbing. Many who met Larry for the first time, weren’t sure how to take him.

He was known for his sarcasm and quick wit, sometimes at others expense. However, once they got to know him, they discovered his big heart and generosity.

He was raised in the Middletown Methodist Church but transferred his membership to Hopewell Baptist Church in the early 60’s and was baptized. He was the Hopewell song leader for many years, as well as teaching the men’s Sunday School class, which he taught until November 7, 2021.

Music was a huge part of his life, and as a teenager, with help from his sister Barb, he learned to play on a cheap guitar from Western Auto. He later upgraded his guitars and wrote and sang songs for his family. He especially enjoyed playing and singing with his brother, Jim. He could be found almost every Sunday sitting on the hearth strumming his guitar and singing a hymn before leaving for church.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy (Tom) Barr of West Plains; Laura Lee (Butch) Rose of Centralia; and Julie (Adam) Gatson of Vandalia. His eight grandchildren of Gen4 referred to him as “Doe” and include Jared (Leslie) Barr of West Plains; Kerensa (Luke) Cassis of Kansas City; Kaylee (Andrew) Paredes of Kansas City; Steve Niemeier of Mulberry Grove, Illinois; Cheyenne (Brendan) Roberts of Raytown; Kasey (Jake) Ellis of Columbia; Abilene Gatson of Vandalia; and Trent (Abby) Rose of O’Fallon. Great-grandchildren of Gen5 are Mia Barr; Leo, Jett and Chaney Cassis; Vanessa Paredes; Bode and Bryce Niemeier; and Otto and Adalind Roberts. He is also survived by his sister Judy (Bob) Rottman, and brother Jim (Nancy) Dunn; sisters-in-law Erma Dunn and Ann (Robert) Wilkerson, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Barb and Tom Eckler, brother Bill Dunn, and his wife of 65 years Mary Ellen. Each morning and every time he left the house Larry would kiss her and on special occasions bring her 11 red roses. When presenting them, he would say “The twelfth rose is you,” after a Hank Williams, Jr. song. Many florists were confused by this, and he would often give the extra rose to the check-out girl. Larry worked hard, walked faithfully, and loved his family.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 27 at the Middletown Baptist Church with Rev. Jonathan Bradley officiating. Services were under the direction of Myers Funeral Home in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Montadale Endowment Scholarship Fund in memory of Larry Dunn, in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.


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