Larry Jay Ptacek
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A beloved and loyal son, brother, uncle, and friend, Larry Jay Ptacek, 62, of Raytown, MO died September 21st, 2019, following a short, courageous battle with cancer. Born January 14th, 1957 in Manhattan, Kansas, Larry graduated from Raytown High School in 1975 and obtained a Geography degree from UMKC in 1979. A dedicated employee, Larry spent the past 29 years with Adams Toyota, most recently as Recon Manager.
Larry loved his family and friends, plants, flowers, cars, dogs, PBS, and Charles Dickens. Always dependable and honest, Larry’s selflessness was indeed valued and he eagerly loaned his green thumb and car sense to family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother whom he cared for in her illness, Mima Jeanne (Hunt) Ptacek. He is survived by his father, James Ptacek; his older brother Steve Ptacek, nieces Shannon and Shelby, and grand-nieces Raegan and Scarlett; and his younger brother Richard Ptacek, sister-in-law Joannie, nieces Mary Lee and Gina, and nephews Robbie and Richie.
Larry will be interred alongside his mother at Graceland Cemetery in Burlington, KS.
On October 26th at 11:00 a.m., the family will hold a Celebration of Life at Jerry Smith Park Trail Head, located on Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64146 (one mile east on 139th Street off Holmes Road). A luncheon will follow at the Elks Lodge 2088, 13600 Arrington Road, Grandview, MO. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Elks Lodge.
Larry was a supporter of The Missouri Prairie Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. Donations can be made to a non-profit of your choosing or to Bridging the Gap. Bridging The Gap will see that any gifts in Larry’s honor will go directly to the Kansas City WildLands program for on-the-ground restoration and conservation of the KC area’s remnant prairies.
Visits: 10
With each bloom of Solomon’s Seal I shall remember you… I will miss you Larry.
God says some friends get as close as brothers. Larry was like that to me. He was diffently a super guy. Honest truthful kind smart senseable. He told me he was sorry I got sick. WHAT A WONDERFUL guy to get a chance to spent all those years together. Will never ever forget him. I hope I have a place next to him when I dye. LOVE YOU and MISS YOU
I met larry and his family in cub scouts, pack 369. We got to be friends , and went through all the teenage and adolescent years together,even shared a locker one year in high school, when Alan Fisher, also in scouts , we lived across the street from each other, from day one. We would both go to Larry’s house , and His parents always treated us as two more sons. There is no way I can express here the friend Larry was to us over the years. My heart goes out to the family at this time of losing Larry and Jeane so close together. Larry had a name for any car he thought was goofy, he called it a “Bowfowser Special “.I’LL miss you Larry.
So sorry for the loss. I knew Larry back in our school days and he was the sweetest human being.
So sorry for the loss. I knew Larry back in our school days and he was the sweetest human being.
Larry always had a good head on his shoulders. Such great parents, so welcoming. We hung out a lot together back in the day, plating marathon Risk games with Scott Adams. I wish I had stayed in touch with him.
Growing up, we lived down a few houses down on Spring St., and I have fond memories of the kind person that Larry became as an adult. My condolences to the family for their loss. So very sad and a loss to all.
Larry was a man of action, not just words, when it came to helping those in need. He was sensitive, loyal, dependable and courageous. His actions will live on and he will continue to be a role model for many.
Larry was a man that was always kind, attentive when you were speaking, and a friend to my dog. When we would see each other, he always gave me the feeling that I was truly important to him. I liked him immensely. I will miss him.
I met Larry over 40 years ago when we worked together at Rosehill Gardens. Larry has always been considered one of my best friends though geography kept us apart. I was fortunate to be able to reconnect with him during the last few weeks of his life.
I will always miss him and hold a special place in my heart for him.
Judy
Sorry for your loss. He was a great man and a great friend. He would do anything for you to help you out.
I also met Larry at Rosehill Gardens. He was an excellent boss then and a good friend after Rosehill. I will miss him a lot, he came to Family Tree Nursery every fall to buy poinsettias for his family.
I went to school and graduated with Larry; he was always kind and all around great guy and never had a negative thing to say about anyone or anything. May the memories help heal the heart and soul of his family and friends. RIP Larry…
When I die
Give what’s left of me away
To children
And old men that wait to die.
And if you need to cry,
Cry for your brother
Walking the street beside you.
And when you need me,
Put your arms
Around anyone
And give them
What you need to give to me.
I want to leave you something,
Something better
Than words
Or sounds.
Look for me
In the people I’ve known
Or loved,
And if you cannot give me away,
At least let me live on in your eyes
And not your mind.
You can love me most
By letting
Hands touch hands,
By letting bodies touch bodies,
And by letting go
Of children
That need to be free.
Love doesn’t die,
People do.
So, when all that’s left of me
Is love,
Give me away.
Epitaph – By Merrit Malloy