Swope, Lawrence F. 1938-2025 Amity, Mo.
AMITY, Mo. – Lawrence “Larry” Freeman Swope passed away Nov. 26, 2025, after struggling for several years with a failing heart. Larry was born the eldest of five children on Oct. 9, 1938, to William J. and Leola (Freeman) Swope.
Larry grew up on a small acreage just outside of St. Joseph and attended Cathedral Grade School and Christian Brothers High School. During his younger years, he was active in 4H and became an avid horseman. He helped on his dad’s farm and taught his younger siblings to play backyard sports. Following graduation he joined the Army on a special program of six months of active duty followed by seven and a half years of active reserves. Soon after he returned from active duty he married Maxine (Sonderegger) and started farming near Amity. Larry owned a 260 acre farm near Amity where he ran a dairy operation for 38 years. More recently, in partnership with his son, Marty, he switched to raising beef cattle. In addition, he always had a small herd of riding horses, which the kids and their friends learned to ride and care for in FFA and 4H projects and which they exhibited in 4H and Paint Horse Shows. He and some of his children and grandchildren rode in cutting, roping, and racing competitions. For many years Larry traveled throughout the country serving as a judge for the American Paint Horse Association.
Larry was many things to many people: son, brother, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, 4H leader, paint horse judge, mentor, neighbor, and friend. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and loved breaking, riding, and showing his horses. His children are grateful to him for being a strict but loving father who taught them to be hard working and resourceful. Larry will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and as an honest, strong, and resourceful member of the community. He was a member of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Maysville, Missouri.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents; three of his siblings, Rosemary Edwards, (Don), Martin Louis, and Alice Swope; and his son-in-law, Thomas Barnett Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Maxine; his six children, Denny (Wilma) of Stewartsville, Missouri, Danny (Donna), of Maysville, Jeanne of Amity, Larry Dean, of Amity, Julie (Rob), of Oak City, North Carolina, and Marty, of Amity; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy (Nicole), Jennifer (Chris), Shana (Brad), Camilla (Robert), Lauren (Dave), Codie, Logan (Kari), Jerod (Michelle), Whitney (Brandon), Dillon Clemens, Megan (Garrett); step- granddaughter, Cayla Nicole Black; 21 great-grandchildren, Charlotte Rose, Emma Mae, Caleb Christopher, Camden Lee, Robert Asa V, Ryker Daniel, Remi Lou, Harper Grace, Hagen Clarence, Harley Jean, Natalie Nicole, Riley James, Amelia Skye, Faye Rosalie, Kynsee Louise, Izolde Marie, Scout McCoy, Sawyer Lee, Liam Bryce, Brooks Alan, Griffin Noel; step great-granddaughter, Natilee Richardson; his younger sister, Pat (Thomas) Croat, of St. Louis; brother-in-law, Billy (Sherrie) Sonderegger, of Amity; sister-in-law, Colene Pankau, of Clarksdale, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Raising six kids and owning a Dairy Farm, both full time, day and night, seven days a week jobs, Larry did them both for many years with caring and determination. But the kids are grown and the cows have been sold and Larry has moved on to the big rodeo in the sky.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Turner Family Funeral Home in Maysville, with burial immediately following at Oak Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to the Wranglers 4H Club.
Online condolences: www.turnerfamilyfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
