Lawrence “Larry” Paul Sudduth Jr., age 73, of Tipton, Missouri, died Monday, January 4, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 9, at Meisenheimer Funeral Home in Tipton, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 8. Burial will follow Saturday’s service at Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia.

Memorials are suggested to Tipton Nutrition Center.

Those attending the funeral or visitation are asked to wear a mask.

He was born August 3, 1948 in Sedalia, Missouri to Patricia E. Sudduth and Lawrence Sudduth, who preceded him in death.

On August 14, 1971 in Sedalia, Missouri he was united in marriage to Linda Stevenson. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year together.

He is survived by his wife of the home; his daughters, Elle Withall of Wheaton, Illinois, and Elizabeth Foster of Warrensburg, Missouri; and his eight grandchildren: Ethan, Mathew, Gavin, Ryeley, Will, Kanin, Taryn and Carly.

Larry received his Bachelor’s in History from Central Missouri State University and taught history and economics at Morgan County R-1 from 1971 to 1983, impacting the lives of many students through education.

After teaching, he went on to run several grocery stores including overseeing the build out and completion of the first Price Chopper in Sedalia, Missouri. Here he was able to cultivate his love of small business and community together and became a strong community member who didn’t know a stranger.

Upon retirement, he went back to his first true love- teaching. He taught many students at the Tipton Correctional Center, helping to guide them toward a more positive future by receiving their GED upon parole.

He volunteered at the Tipton Nutrition Center, was an avid member of the Sportsman’s Club and the Tipton Lions Club, serving recently as president.

He loved gardening, fishing, was an avid reader with his own history library, and above all, doted on his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.