Larry Eugene Potter was born April 5, 1938, at home in Clarinda, Iowa, in the middle of a spring blizzard. He was the eldest of four children born to Samuel G. and Inez M. (Carson) Potter. He attended Clarinda schools until the family moved to Denver, CO, where he graduated from high school in 1956. However, he always considered himself an Iowan first, and specifically a Clarindan. He kept up with his former high school classmates and attended several reunions.
Larry was raised in the Free Methodist church, his grandfather J.L. Potter being a minister in that denomination. Larry cherished his Christian heritage and trusted Christ as his savior at a young age.
After high school, Larry came to McPherson, KS to attend Central College, now Central Christian College of Kansas. While a student there, he met Judith Wiggins who would later become his wife. They married on June 19, 1959, and after both had graduated from Central, the couple moved to Denver where Larry worked with his father, a painting contractor. However, after their first child was born, Larry and Judy decided Denver wasn’t where they wanted to raise their family, so they moved back to McPherson in 1962. He and Judy were the parents of four children: Susan, Sarah, Bradley, and Eric. Larry worked diligently to provide for his family and was especially proud of the home he and Judy built which had plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge yard and garden, and a field out back where the kids and grandkids played. It was always very important to him to have a good place for his family.
In addition to contract painting and wallpapering, which he did most of his life in conjunction with other jobs, Larry owned his own carpet cleaning business as a young man and was a supervisor at Johns-Manville for many years. He retired from all employment in 2005. He was a dedicated and dependable employee and believed in doing a job well. Many houses and businesses in McPherson and the surrounding area benefitted from his careful work, and he really enjoyed getting to know his customers. He passed on his work ethic and sense of responsibility to his children.
Larry had many interests, enjoyed hunting and doing his own ammunition reloading, had a huge yearly garden providing produce for the family and employing his children in weeding and harvesting. In retirement, Larry continued to garden until age and ill health forced him to stop. However, he always looked forward to going to plant nurseries and loved to go to McPherson Farmer’s Market. He loved to share his interests with others, and his children and grandchildren benefitted from his enthusiasm for gardening in particular. Larry loved to watch sports, especially the McPherson Bullpups, Chiefs, and Royals. He was fascinated by airplanes and took flying lessons as a young man. Larry also enjoyed narrow gauge railroad, taking several trips on the Durango and Silverton line. He loved visiting Colorado and would take the family on a camping vacation every summer. As well, Larry loved to sing and participated for several years in the McPherson Barbershop Chorus, singing the baritone part in their quartet the Mac Foursome, and later participated in the McPherson Chorale. He was for many years a faithful member of the choir at the McPherson Free Methodist Church, where he also taught Sunday School, served on various committees, and did a lot of volunteer painting and other building upkeep.
Larry especially loved being a grandfather and enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their scholastic and extracurricular endeavors. In recent years, he and Judy were blessed by the addition of several great-grandchildren to the family.
Larry Eugene Potter passed into life eternal on September 30, 2023, at Pleasant View Home, Inman, KS at the age of 85. He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife, Judith, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Jerry Land, brothers Richard and Paul Potter, grandson Christopher Shepard, and nephew Wesley Black. He is survived by brother-in-law Charles Wiggins (Norane) of Springer, NM; his children Susan Shepard (David) of McPherson, KS, Sarah Voth (Joel) of Wenatchee, WA, Bradley Potter (Lisa) of Omaha, NE, and Eric Potter (Amanda) of McPherson; grandchildren Adam Shepard (Emily), Dylan Shepard, Michael Voth (Margaret), Brian Voth (Christina), Katie Grinde (Seth), Gregory Voth, Andrew Potter (Bailey), Lucas Potter (Laura), Benjamin Potter, Jacob Hughes (River), Brooklyn Hughes, Tessa Potter, Emma George, Alyvia George, Kason George, and Adryn Potter, great-grandchildren Adeline, Charlotte, and Evangeline Shepard with one more expected soon, Isaac, Aaron, Levi, Sophia and Michael Nectarios Voth, Celia-Rose and Ira Potter, and Jax Potter. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his loving family and many friends.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 4, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 5, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with burial following at McPherson Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Central Christian College of Kansas in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.