Gene Elroy Larson, age 95, of Warrensburg passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Warrensburg Manor.

He was born January 14, 1926 in Brookings, South Dakota, the son of Howard and Miriam (Bereman) Larson.

On November 10, 1950, he and Joyce Marie Opitz were united in marriage in Brookings.

Gene was called to serve the US Army the summer before his senior year of high school in July 1944. He attended Basic Training at Camp Banding in Florida. On the way home on Christmas Eve 1944, before reporting for assignment overseas, the military plane Gene was on crashed in a snowstorm near Olmsted Air Force Base in Pennsylvania after running out of fuel. Gene suffered cracked ribs, a broken arm, severe burns, and a cut to the scalp. After being released from the hospital, he received leave to visit home for five days before being sent overseas. In February 1945, Gene's unit traveled to England by ship. During the eight-day trip, the ship had to zigzag in order to avoid torpedoes from submarines. Gene was assigned to the 8th Armored Tank Division after reaching Germany. He was discharged in the summer of 1946.

After the war, he returned home to Brookings and attended South Dakota State, where he met the love of his life Joyce Opitz. They were happily married for over 70 years.

Gene and his childhood friend Ray Kleinsesser were partners for several years in a drive-in restaurant, The Corral, in Brookings.

They relocated their family to Warrensburg in 1966 when Gene took a job at Vernaz Drug.

Gene and Joyce purchased the hardware store at 201 N Holden and opened Larson Hardware in 1976. Gene was the proud owner-operator of the small business in downtown Warrensburg until his retirement in 1998.

Gene and Joyce enjoyed driving trips, going to South Dakota every year, frequent trips to Branson, and longer trips to California, South Carolina, and New Mexico to visit relatives.

They enjoyed playing cards together and going for afternoon drives in the surrounding area. Gene was an accomplished woodworker and made wooden toy cars and trucks for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gene was a "Life Member" of the Elks Lodge for 71 years. He was an active member of the Warrensburg Elks Lodge #673 from 1966 to 2021, where he served as Exalted Ruler and later for several years as the Treasurer.

Gene is survived by his children Steven Larson of Shawnee, KS, Bob (Laurie) Larson of Warrensburg, MO, John Larson of Blue Springs, MO, Craig Larson of Kansas City, MO, Jane Larson of Independence, MO, and Charles (Dana) Larson of Prairie Village, KS; grandchildren Kelly (Tim) Workman, Kristy (Brad) Case, Sara (Scott) Harding, Daniel Larson, Joan Larson, Zack (Sarah) Larson, Diane (Chris) George, and Allison Larson; great-grandchildren Spencer, Tessa, Tanner and Piper Case, Kale and Khloe Larson, Andrew Workman, Hazel and Houston Harding, and Liam Trotter.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce; his parents Howard and Miriam Larson; and three sisters Faith Larson, Lee Larson, and Alice Horton.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 10, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until service, which will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Missouri Veteran Cemetery in Higginsville. Pallbearers will be Steven Larson, Bob Larson, John Larson, Charles Larson, Daniel Larson, and Zack Larson.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Warrensburg Elks Lodge #673 or charity of choice and can be left in care of the funeral home.