On Sunday, December 3, Larry J. Winter passed away peacefully. He was a resident of the Kansas City area since 1965, 35 of those years in Liberty, MO. Larry was born on September 28, 1938 to Carrie and Julius Winter in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. For 85 years, he had a meaningful impact through his love for his family, friends, colleagues and for all he had the honor to serve in his community and through his career as a Minister of Music.
Larry attended a singleroom country elementary school in rural Jerauld County, South Dakota. He graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1956 and from Sioux Falls College with the class of 1960. After teaching music in Canton, South Dakota he graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas with a Masters of Church Music in 1965.
In 1965, Larry moved to Leawood, Kansas to become Minister of Music at Leawood Baptist Church. He married Helen Davis in June of 1969. In 1976, Larry became the Minister of Music at Second Baptist Church, Liberty, Missouri, where he retired in 2001.
After retirement, Larry served as a part time Minister of Music in several KC-area churches, volunteered at Liberty Hospital and later at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Bernece Winter Rasmussen, brother-inlaw Allen Rasmussen, and brother Loren who died at birth.
Larry is survived by his wife, Helen, daughter Megan (Stu) Bell, Dallas, Texas, and son, Cody (Rebecca) Winter, Seattle, Washington. Liam Bell, Charlie Winter and Adele Winter are surviving grandchildren.
We are thankful to be reminded by many about his warmth, kindness, gentle soul, strength of spirit and his inspiration through music education. We invite you to celebrate Larry’s life with us on January 6, 2024 at 1 p.m., Second Baptist Church in Liberty, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Second Baptist Church, 300 E. Kansas, Liberty, Missouri 64068.
