Lawrence “Larry” Eugene Kehoe passed away peacefully at his home in Southlake, TX on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at the young age of 81. He crossed over to heaven while holding the hand of his cherished wife, Marlys Josephine (nee Falk) Kehoe. Also at his side were his 4 children and their spouses: Michael “Mike” and Amy Kehoe, Michelle and Robert “Bob” Schneider, Mark and Kathleen Kehoe, and Melissa “Missy” Kehoe Loder. All 15 grandchildren/great grandchildren (aka. “knuckleheads”): Tommy, Bobby, Elizabeth, Gretchen, Michael, Heidi, Megan, Nate, Nick, Ben, Emma, Mandy, Olivia, Aidan, and Madelyn were either present or had recently FaceTimed Grandpa to remind him how much he was loved. In each of their faces, Larry’s legacy lives on and will continue to for many, MANY generations to come. “Looks like a Kehoe” is now heard in several states across the country.
Larry was born 8/07/1938 in Waterloo, IA to John Francis and Mary Frances Speirs Kehoe. He was the dear brother of Sharon (Rick) Plummer, Joan (Dennis) Bracken, John “Mike” (Barb) Kehoe, Diane Kehoe, William “Bill” Kehoe, the late Donald "Donny" Kehoe , and the late Mary “Bouse” Winkey and brother-in-law of Karen Kehoe.
Larry started his college career at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI on a full football scholarship, but returned home to be closer to Marlys. He completed his college career and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 at Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) where he was an outstanding student and first baseman for the Panthers. Larry was even recruited by the Cincinnati Reds, but he loved a certain woman more than baseball.
Larry and Marlys tied the knot on 8/27/1960 in Waterloo, IA and welcomed their first born child in 1961. Tragically, in 1962, Larry‘s parents were killed in a car accident. The new parents and infant son moved in to the family home to help care for and raise Larry’s younger siblings, and later moved their family, including his 2 youngest siblings, to St. Louis. Larry continued to be a beloved and respected father figure to all his siblings throughout his life.
Larry was a lifelong workaholic and did not abide by the 40 hr/wk status quo, most notably during tax season. Early in his career, Larry began work for the United States Department of Agriculture in the Farmers Home Administration agency and quickly rose to Director of Fiscal and Accounting Division. A CPA, he became part owner of Tax Services, Inc. and continued working there for years after “retiring” from the USDA. In fact, his wife and family had to move him to TX in order to force him to relax and enjoy what all his years of hard work provided.
What would break one person makes another one stronger. Larry was the latter. He lived his life, loved his wife, raised his kids, provided for and protected his entire family loyally and tirelessly until the day he passed. He entertained (and horrified!) even the youngest of offspring with his infamous “acky eyes”, passed on his sarcasm and questionable sense of humor to more than one within the ever growing family tree, lived frugally himself, but lavished his loved ones, especially in later years. Larry was a superb athlete and fiercely competitive before age mellowed him...slightly. Rumor has it, he once broke a golf club while playing a “relaxing” round with friends. His favorite pastime was attending every possible sporting event of all his kids and grandkids where he could be heard yelling and cheering from the stands. Years ago, while at his kids’ games, no one was spared Larry’s booming opinion: not umpires, referees, coaches, opponents, parents, opponents’ parents, teammates, and especially not his kids! Though vocal in sports, he was a man of few words, but you could count on his facial expressions to speak volumes. While seemingly often serious, the glint in his eyes and turned up corners of his mouth would give away the true nature of this cherished man. He was a giant teddy bear with an even bigger heart and he will be forever loved and missed by those of us lucky enough to have called him husband, dad, Grandpa, brother, and friend.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in Larry’s name appreciated. Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Our federal tax ID number is 13-3039601.
Larry would approve of and want you to know these important tax facts.
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Alzheimer's Association9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-3258
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