Larry James (LD, Large Dog) Dunn, 63, was born on an extremely cold day (5 degrees) in Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City on January 20, 1961 to James Wilson and Vera Lee (Fergason) Dunn. He died Monday, December 2, 2024 at home surrounded by his family after a more than two year battle with cancer.

Other than January 20 being a notable day in which Larry was born, it was also the day John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States. The family was living at that time in Del City, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

When Larry was one year old, the family moved to Thomas, Oklahoma so his dad could help his grandad with publishing the Thomas Tribune. In the fall of 1964, the family moved to Maysville, Oklahoma when his parents bought the Maysville News. When Larry was in the third grade, the family moved to Anthony after his parents purchased The Anthony Republican. Most Tuesday afternoons, you could find him and his siblings stuffing paper to be put in the mail.

Larry's elementary school years were at Washington, Washington Annex and Lincoln. He graduated from Chaparral High School in 1979. Larry loved football and was quarterback for one of the best football teams there has been at Chaparral. He was a student at Hutchison Community College before returning to Anthony to help his parents with the operation of The Anthony Republican and eventually purchasing the family business in 1999. He had a knack for printing newspapers, job work as well as screen printing t-shirts/caps.

On September 6, 1980, Larry married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Bonnie Kastens at the United Methodist Church in Anthony. From the union three daughters were born. Sharla Marie, Katy Elizabeth and Rachel Renee. He was destined to be a girl dad and that he did well. Family meant EVERYTHING to him. September 6 this year, Larry and Bonnie celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.

He could be seen most mornings crossing the street to the Kanza Bank for his free cup of coffee and to tease the girls. Then eventually, making it to Larry's Hometown Market to discuss happenings in town and around the world with Larry Olds Sr. and Larry Dean.

Lake life was in his blood and carried on through the years from family reunions in Oklahoma to buying his own "palace" to be close to his friends at Kaw Lake. He was the ultimate boating legend and put miles and miles on his boats just to take his girls and their friends skiing or for a good tube ride. Harvest time always brought a smile to his face. He enjoyed farming with his father-in-law and Denny and Phil Harper. He never missed an at home sporting event his daughters were part of. He was a part of the Fair Association Board for years…many laughs and side bets were a staple to his summer activities. Speaking of games, the man was always down for a game of Racehorse Rummy. He was determined to beat his neighbor for bragging rights.

The man loved vehicles. Everyone always knew his yellow jeep as it rolled by, and he would raise his index finger for a quick hello. He took pride in his home and spent hours upon hours mowing his "immaculate" lawn and enjoying the afternoons on the porch with his wife while chatting with neighbors and friends. Being a PAPA was one of his greatest joys in life. He had a very special relationship with all his grandkids. They all considered him a hero and was drawn to his loving presence.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, his sister, Beverly Martinez, brother-in-law Albert Martinez, sister-in-law, Regina Dunn and his father-in-law, Tom Kastens. Surviving are his wife, Bonnie of the home, his daughters and sons-in-law, Sharla and Cody Wright of Evergreen, Colo.; Katy and Adam Thomas of Anthony and Rachel and Ryan Dalinghaus of Rose Hill, Kan., his mother, Vera Dunn of Anthony, brother, David Dunn of Wichita, mother-in-law, June Kastens of Anthony, and his grandchildren, Quinn and Roman Wright, Kallie and Boston Thomas, Harper, Nash and Crew Dalinghaus.

Funeral services were held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Anthony with burial at Spring Grove Cemetery, Anthony.

Pallbearers were Cody Wright, Adam Thomas, Ryan Dalinghaus, David Dunn, Monty Smith and Tracy Copenhaver. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Fergason, Denny Harper, Phil Harper, and Mark Kastens.

Memorials may be made to Interim Healthcare or Larry Dunn Memorial Scholarship, and can be sent in care of the funeral home. Larry instilled in his daughters the importance of a higher education.

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to the community who lifted prayers and continuously supported Larry and his family. Both near and far, your love and support were and will always be greatly appreciated.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.