Larry Lon Wright, 81, of Hallsville, passed away on January 2, 2025.
 Friends and family will be received on Friday, January 10 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia from 1:00 PM 2:30 PM. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Robert Cook will immediately follow.
 A native of mid-Missouri, Larry was born February 5, 1943 to C.Q. and Mary Helen (Gold) Wright. He, his twin brother and sister grew up on a farm in Hallsville that has been in the family since 1846. He loved the farm and its family history and has been honored to make it his home since 1978. He had the heart of a farmer but spent 20+ years as a rural mail carrier for the Postal Service. This job introduced him to his wife, Phyllis, when they worked together delivering mail to the local Amish communities. They were married in a private ceremony on May 10, 2004 by a highway patrol chaplain in a vault at the courthouse in Mexico, Missouri, in Larry’s signature remarkable style.
 Larry was the most kind and compassionate man you would ever meet who never had an unkind word for others. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was often described as “a character.” He was one that always sparked the conversation and made friends wherever he went. Larry was an avid golfer and loved the time he spent on the golf course. But the time he spent with family is where he lived his life to the fullest.
 He leaves behind his loving wife, Phyllis; children: Lonnie (Kathleen) Wright, Lorri (Steven) Reynolds, Kim (Matt) Spurgin, Allen (Lou Ann) Kirby and Derrick (Ashley) Powell; grandchildren: Laura (Doug) Lang, Adam (Lauren) Wright, Katie (Devon) Coulson, Peter (Natalie) Wright, David Wright, Danny (McKen­◤CO Check hyphenation◢zie) Wright, Grace (Noah) Suiter, Lydia Wright, Lacy (David) Polinski, Porter Maher, Chad (Brooke) Evans, Lauren (Cory) Via, Kelsey (Brayden Ham) Evans, Alex (Lizzi) Kirby, Anna Kirby, Avery Powell and Addison Powell; great-grandchildren: Gavin, Dylan, Braxton and Brynlee Lang, Sawyer Wright, Jamie Wright, Sammy Wright, Archer Suiter, Lyndan, David Jr., Raiden and Alexis Polinski, Baylor and Abby Via, Sutton Kirby, and three more on the way. His sister, Marilyn Hewitt, also survives.
 In addition to his parents, Larry is preceded in death by his twin brother, Garry, and a brother-in-law, Lindy Hewitt.
 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or Red Top Christian Church at PO Box 248, Hallsville, MO 65255. Share condolences and fond memories online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.