Larry Richard Collins

Larry Richard Collins, 63, of Springfield, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, died peacefully at his home on January 2, 2013. He was born on August 31, 1949 in West Plains, Missouri, to Richard Garfield and Emma Belle (Yeager) Collins.

He grew up in West Plains, Missouri and attended West Plains School and graduated from West Plains High School in 1967. He continued his education at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Larry was united in marriage to Melanie Lynne Stephens on September 26, 1981 in West Plains, Missouri. Two children were born to this union, Lacey Jayne and Dylan Richard.

Larry worked in auto sales and management at various car dealerships in and around the Springfield area. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all types of sports, but none more than his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

Larry was preceded in death by his father: Richard Garfield Collins; and by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

He is survived by his two children: Lacey Jayne Collins of Phoenix, Arizona and Dylan Richard Collins of Springfield, Missouri; his mother: Emma B. Collins Roberts of Cabool, Missouri; his sister: Judy Boykin and her husband, Phil, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; his niece: Kimberly Kaye Thomas and her husband, Chris, of Willard, Missouri; a great-niece: Kalli Kaye Hoevelman of Norfolk, Virginia; and other relatives and friends who will miss him very much.