Lawrence A. Zirbel

Published in the Kansas City Star on 5/22/2008.

Larry A. Zirbel, age 86, resident of Kansas City, MO , passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19 2008 at his home.

Larry was born in Paris Township, Kenosha County, Wisconsin on June 13, 1921. Spent his boyhood in Algoma, Wisconsin and graduated from Algoma High School in June 1939.

He was a World War II veteran, 1942-1945. Received his BS degree from Northwest Missouri State, Maryville 1950 and his MEd from Missouri University, Columbia 1954.

Larry spent thirty-seven years in the teaching profession retiring in June 1986. He has taught at Bethany, King City, Tarkio, The Center School District and the last twenty years in the Hickman Mills District as a counselor. Larry officiated football, basketball, baseball and fast pitch softball at the high school and college level.

He was inducted in to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, worked with the Kansas City Chiefs/NFL for 44 years, was involved in the AINBA World Youth Baseball Championship in Kindersley, Canada, July 1984 and also in 1984 Larry umpired in the American League Championship Series for the KC Royals.

Larry is survived by his wife Geraldine of the home; daughters Jeanie and husband Joe Harnett of Dallas, TX and Trish Zirbel of Kansas City, MO; son Rogers and wife Vickie Zirbel of Shawnee, KS; Step-son Jerry and wife Glenda Clark of Lee's Summit, MO; grandchildren Jeff and wife Zoila Harnett, Nicole and husband Forrest Macfarlane, Jason Blackmore, Erin Zirbel; step grandchildren Justin Clark and Melissa and husband Ryan Foley; great-grandchildren Jon and Thalia Harnett and Kyle, Molly and Clare Foley; brother-in-law Tom McGee and wife Shirley.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008 at DW Newcomers Son's Longview Funeral, 12700 South Raytown Rd. Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers donations appreciated to NW Missouri Athletics or "M" Club c/o NW Foundation 800 University Dr. Maryville, MO 64468 in memory of Larry Zirbel or to charity of your choice.

Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.dwnecomers.com Arrangement by Longview Funeral Home 816-761- 6272.