Visitation for LARRY SPAFFORD KRULL, of Lawrence Kansas will be at 6PM, Friday, March 7, 2025 at Rumsey- Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence Kansas. Lutheran Services will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence Kansas at 10:30am, Saturday, March 8, 2025 and burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence Kansas.
Coach Krull died March 3rd, 2025 in Lawrence Kansas at the age of 84. He truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. His generosity knew no bounds. Coach Krull was not only generous in life, but also in death as he wants to continue the outreach projects they have started even after his death to help less fortunate people in our society. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a beautiful soul who would help anyone. His radiant smile lit up any room he entered, and everyone would enjoy his baritone voice and amazing, never-ending stories. He enjoyed teaching kids, hanging out with his family, singing, dancing, and traveling especially with his wife. Bugs as some close people calls him lived life to the fullest and especially loved spending quality time with his family, friends, and his beloved dog, Coco.
Larry is survived by his wife, Joycelin and sons Larry Steven & Elizabeth, Galen Craig & Kevin, Michael Shawn & Misty and daughter Via Rizaleene & Kevin. Grandchildren Cameron (Lucy), Aaron (LeAnn), Wesley (Ashley), Kaylee (Stuart), Sydney, Chris (Dan), McCarly, McCade, and Kassidy. Great Grandchildren Preston, Callum, Zekkiah, Kobe and Dru.
The man from Blue Mound, this was how he wanted to be simply called and remembered was born in Goodrich, Kansas. He was the son of Russell and Beulah. He was preceded in death by his sister Thelma (Dale+), Howard (Marsha+) and Myrna (Gary). His brothers in Law Wernher and Charleston love and respect him dearly. He is known to be kind, compassionate, generous, humorous and most of all a loving family man to his wife, kids and grandkids.
He is the father of the Midwest Driving School, the oldest and most trusted driving school in the state of Kansas. He is known as the admirable, amazing and serious coach of the Midwest Driving School Senior Softball. A self-made man and philanthropist that started bailing hays, eating onion sandwich for meals to help his dad in the farm and painted houses, he managed to emerge victorious in life by working hard and achieving his dreams of one day to have a business of his own and a house that he will call a home together with his wife Joycelin where the whole family congregates on special occasions and ballgames.
Larry was a basketball star player of Bluemound Highschool averaging 14 points per game and became an outstanding Quarterback for the same school’s football team. Married early, he had to work so many jobs such as sacking groceries at Whiteside’s IGA and at Milne Mann Tire Shop where he met a man who told him to stop patching tires and start going back to college as that will help and change his life. He followed him and became a working student and earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Fort Scott Community College and finished a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Pitt State University in 1968. Was given teaching position at Appleton City Highschool from ‘69- ‘70 where he started fulfilling his lifetime dream of coaching Highschool Football. He then moved to Lockwood Missouri ’71-’72 where he continued honing more of his coaching skills. He then went back to Girard Kansas from 1973-1977 to teach psychology and coached the girls’ basketball, baseball and football until 1983 at Fort Scott Junior College. He also became an Assistant Coach for the Football Team of Haskell University.
Larry started working at the Midwest Driving School as a driving instructor until he bought the business after 10 years of managing the company. And now together with his wife Joycelin and children, they made Midwest Driving School the most reliable, trusted, safest and affordable driving school in the state of Kansas, providing quality drivers education and keeping students safe on the road in the last 50 years.
A true KU, Chiefs and Royals fan, he has been into Senior Softball since 1990 and helped propagating the sport in Kansas for Seniors by owning Softball teams that played locally under KC Metro Senior Softball League that won World Championships in Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Giorgia, Utah, Canada among others. Coach Krull treats his players like family and loved them truly as members of his own. In fact, in all their out-of-town games and tournaments, Larry would always make sure that the wives of his players or members of their family are joining them to experience the joy of camaraderie and happiness in spending quality time with their families while having fun playing and competing for their favorite Softball game.
The Krull’s legacy and good name lives on- with his family and Midwest Driving School that continues to serve Lawrence and the State of Kansas forever.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com and flowers to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St, Lawrence Kansas or Memorial in Memory of Larry S. Krull to Kansas City Metro Senior Softball. Check sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St, Lawrence Kansas 66044.
Floral arrangements in Larry’s honor may be ordered by visiting the following websites of our local florists:
Sorry for your loss. I was blessed to know Larry in his coaching days in Girard. He always made laugh and he was a leader among his teaching peers.
Take care and rest in peace
I always thought a lot of Larry. I wished now I would have spent more time with him besides at some of the Filipino-American get togethers. He was a great guy that I will never forget. I love him and all of his family. You are all great people. I will keep praying for all of you during this difficult time of grieving. May God comfort all of you. My heart goes out to each of you. God bless each of you. Know that Im always here for you. Please call me or message me anytime so I can help you get through time of grieving.
Thomas and Letecia Hodgson
RIP coach Ricky Roth FSCC Baseball 81-83.
Thoughts and prayers to the Krull Family. I have known Larry for a long time as he worked for and later bought Midwest Driving School from my Dad.
Larry was very sweet guy and will be missed by all.
I knew my Uncle Larry through my Aunt Joyce and my best friend Via. The day I met him, he treated me not as a stranger, but as if I was someone he already knew! He welcomed me with open arms. My fondest memory of him was traveling to Paris to meet his wife and company to celebrate his granddaughter Kassidy’s birthday. We almost missed our flight because of an uncontrollable delay. My aunt Joyce urged me to help him get a wheelchair because the airport was huge and she didn’t want us to miss our flight. Uncle Larry refused assistance and he power walked with me to our departure gate. I was amazed at how fast he could still move at his age. We made it in time for our flight though, with 20mins left to takeoff.
I was very sad to learn about his passing, and I will forever miss hearing the never ending stories he had to share. My heart hurts for my Aunt Joyce and the rest of the Krull Family. I hope Uncle Larry is enjoying paradise and relaxing with a cold beer in his hand.
Family, so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. Steve, Mike, Galen,…… So many Girard memories….. He was a great friend and confidant as I was cutting my teeth in the coaching (though my career didn’t last very long!) I told my son yesterday that he was one of the most competitive guys I’m sure I’ll ever know.
To the rest of the Krull clan, again sorry for you loss.
Rick and Georganne Senecaut
Larry, In the ten years of knowing you(1984-94),I felt that you were aheaded in the right direction.Most of those years of playing with or against you.Your buddy Grimes always kept me informed about all of the Softball players in my time living in Lees Summit,Mo.You are now going to the greatest place ever.”Softball in Heaven”. God be with you.