Larry Dean Widener

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie Elizabeth Widener and Franklin Monroe Widener. He is survived by his long-time best friend, Mary Biniki (Lee’s Summit MO); his sister, JoAnn Hampton (Summerfield NC) and husband Mike; nephews, Wayne Widener (Oro Valley AZ) and wife Judy, Matthew Hampton (Salt Lake City UT) and wife Jaime, Joseph Hampton (Summerfield NC) and wife Rebekah; great-nephews, Joseph Hampton, Benjamin Hampton; great-nieces, Evangeline Hampton, Lillian Hampton, Miriam Hampton.

Larry graduated from Westport High School (Kansas City, MO) class of 1964. He attended the University of Central Missouri majoring in Industrial Arts Education. He was a member of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and was a founding member of Kappa Phi Epsilon.

He was a lifelong Amateur Radio Operator with his call sign of KA0YJE. He served as Assistant Emergency Coordinator for the Jackson County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services). He was also a long-time member of the Heart of America Radio Club, serving as Treasurer.

During his life, Larry worked as manager of a Radio Shack Store. He worked in the Kansas City School District as a Facilities Manager. He also worked and volunteered for the American Red Cross Disaster Services as logistics and Communication Coordinator. He was retired from the American Red Cross.

Larry has numerous awards for work with the American Red Cross. He has been working and volunteering with the American Red Cross for 50+ years. He has received awards for: “Excellence to IT End User Services; Support Services Volunteer Impact Award; Outstanding Employee of the Year; Partnership Award, and several others.

Larry was baptized as a teenager at Forest Avenue Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO. He professed faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and was involved in an ongoing Bible Study the past few years.

A visitation for Larry will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Please join the family at the reception after the service to continue sharing memories of Larry's life. Officiating the service is The Reverend Dr. William Fasel.

Honorary Pallbearers: Richard Fretwell, Merritt Markussen, Wayne Widener, Mike Hampton, Matthew Hampton, Joseph Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Red Cross or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.