Larry Eugene Affolter, 71, of Independence, MO, passed away at the home on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Larry was born on January 27, 1952, in Independence, MO. Larry played football as a tackle at Grain Valley High School where he graduated in 1970. He joined the Army National Guard as a Military Police Officer in 1971 and served until 1986 as a Staff Sargent. He then went on to work at Armco Steel Co. from 1972-2001. Larry attended the Police Academy at Blue River Community College in 2002 where he received his Class A license. He was a patrol officer and then became Chief of Police at Crystal Lakes, MO Police Department from 2003-2008. Larry also served as a security officer at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum from 2001-2017, where he met his wife, Nancy. They later married on December 27, 2008. After Larry and his wife Nancy moved to Lake Pomme De Terre, MO in 2010, he worked as a deputy for the Hickory County Sherriff’s department from 2010-2017, when he retired. Larry also worked security at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO.
Larry loved living at the lake for his eleven years of residence there, where he enjoyed activities like fishing, boating, hunting, and taking the kids and grandkids tubing. Larry loved his 1955 Mercury, which he and Nancy would take to frequent car shows around the area.
Larry is survived by his wife Nancy, and his 3 children, Larry Affolter (Heather), Stephanie Gilgour (Joe), Jonathan Affolter (Leslie), and 3 step-children, Stephanie Dilley (Lee), Stephen Myers (Janet), and Stacie Patton (Glen), his 14 grandchildren Brittany, Tanner, Grant, Genevieve, Lauren, James, Jordan, Rebekah, Alliesha, Sarah, Trevor, Kylie, McKenzie, and Kaitlyn, his 7 great-grandchildren, Brailyn, Felicity, Lyla, Henry, Karson, Nova, and Shepherd, and his two brothers, Denny Affolter (Patti), and Jimmy Affolter (Malinda).
Larry is preceded in death by his father Eugene Affolter, his mother Evelyn Coolidge, his stepfather Papa John Coolidge, and his great-grandson Braxton.
Larry’s Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 4:00PM at The Blue Springs Elks Lodge: 100 NE Brizendine Rd. Blue Springs, MO 64014. Park and enter on the lower level. Please feel free to wear your bright and colorful attire. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Association.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Lynn Peterson
14 Oct 2023Larry, you were a great friend, & one of a kind, if there was ever a time I needed someone to have my back, you’re the one I’d feel most confident with to have my back. We’ll miss seeing you & Nancy at Sleds Midwest. I’ll also miss breaking bread at the Crappie hole at the lake with you & Nancy, along with our many phone conversations, and the many jokes we shared & laughed so hard about.
To say you’ll be greatly missed, is an understatement!
Rest in peace brother!
Lynn, TJ, & Jacee Peterson
Martin Rich
18 Oct 2023Larry was a great neighbor and friend. Our hunting and fishing outings were memorable. We solved many of the world problems on these trips. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Margie Mengel
17 Jun 2024I’ll miss you my brother, my friend.