Larry Leroy Booth

June 15, 1932 - January 11, 2026 - Colby, KS

Larry Leroy Booth, age 93, of Colby, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Citizens Medical Center in Colby. He was born June 15, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Leroy Camille and Dorothy Helene (Hall) Booth.

Larry graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City. He joined the United States Marines and fought in the Korean conflict, where he was honored with a Purple Heart and an expert marksmanship award. Following his military service, Larry attended Ottawa University and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology. He continued his education at Central Baptist Seminary, graduating with a degree in Christian education. Larry also served as a chaplain in the Navy Reserves.

Larry dedicated fifteen years to the ministry and served as the administrator at Lantern Park Manor in Colby. He worked as an interim administrator in several nursing homes throughout Kansas and Nebraska. Larry resumed preaching as an interim pastor across Kansas and Nebraska, and served as the preacher at the Presbyterian Church in Hoxie, Kansas, and the First Congregational Church in Grant, Nebraska.

Larry had a remarkable love for music. He enjoyed singing and whistling, and his mother said when she was looking for Larry when he was out playing, she would find him by stepping out on the porch and listening for his whistle. Larry taught himself to play the guitar both left-handed and right-handed, since he was left-handed but had only a right-handed guitar available. He loved to sing and play for weddings, funerals, church, festivals, parks, clubs, and living rooms. He was instrumental in starting Pickin’ on the Plains Music Festival in Colby 30 years ago. In addition to his musical talents, Larry cherished reading, poetry, woodworking, flying, and, above all, connecting with people. He was known for his warm heart, and he never knew a stranger.

Larry was married to JoAnn Krueger and later to his current wife, Jo (Bannister) Booth. His parents; son, Stephen Leroy Booth; sister, Jacqueline (Bill) Shultz, brother-in-law Bill Shultz, and his nephew, David Shultz passed before him. He is survived by his children: Larry Dale, Timothy Michael and Jon Martin (Renae) Booth, all of Hays; stepchildren Kristi Foss of Manitou Springs, Co. and Kendall (Laura Reif) Foss of Plainville. Larry leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Kim (Drew) Gourlay, Brandon (Sarah) Booth, Matthew, Jacob and Elijah Booth, Andrew, Nicholas, Zachary and Lucas Doneson, Madison (Foss) Olmstead, and Destiny Foss. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Josey (Noah) Yetter, Phoebe Booth, Karson Kuhlmann, Pierce and Declan Gourlay, Louis and Otto Olmstead, Clara Bellew, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service to honor his life will be held on January 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Colby United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Beulah Cemetery following the service, and a social gathering will be held afterward at the church, featuring snacks and music. Memorials are suggested to Pickin’ on the Plains Music Festival and to Sons of the American Legion and may be mailed to Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.