Larry Eugene Shaffer

Larry Eugene Shaffer, 81, of Overbrook, Kansas died Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook, Kansas.

He was born August 8, 1944 in Lamont, Kansas the son of Lyle and Marjorie (Recek) Shaffer.  He graduated from Lamont High School with the class of 1962 and was the only boy out of a class of 4. 

On June 1, 1963, Larry was united in marriage to Carol L. McCracken at Prairie Chapel Church in Coffey County, Kansas.  They spent over 61 years of loving marriage together until Carol’s passing on April 3, 2025.  

They resided in Topeka, where Larry drove a truck for American Linen for 9 years until becoming an insurance agent with State Farm in 1974. His children remember the long nights he would put in growing his business. Evening appointments were the norm for several years but it paid off. Larry was a very successful agent for State Farm for 40 years, retiring in 2014.  His work ethic allowed him great success and the ability to build a home on 80 acres in Overbrook in 1989. This was his "happy place" and the place that soon became home to his kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids, and many more. He loved sharing their home with kids' friends and just anyone. Along with his wife, Carol, he was a member of Overbrook United Methodist Church since 1989 as well.

Larry was a big talker/story teller, and would strike up a conversation with anyone and walk away feeling as if he had made a new friend.  He was a jack of all trades and could often be found fixing things for his kids, changing oil in everyone’s cars, and taking on other handyman duties for those he loved. His first day of retirement he showed up to KSB with his ladder and cleaned the windows. Larry was also the king of tinkering. With his 80 acres, there was always something that just "had" to be done. He was always proud of the produce he would grow each year in his garden. Then there was his love for animals. His family accused him of loving his dogs more than humans. But he actually loved all animals, including the deer and squirrels he would feed (an activity he involved his grandkids and eventually great grandkids in).  A routine man, Larry would join his coffee crew every  morning, whether it was Jacks, Rock Creek Cafe or Denny’s in Topeka, where he was spoiled by his favorite waitress, Cassie, who also spoiled his dogs with sausage.  One of his favorite hobbies was golfing, and there were many family trips taken to go golfing in Bella Vista and the Branson area.  Most of all, Larry was so proud of the family he and Carol had built together, and his love for family shined throughout his life.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Marjorie Shaffer, and a brother, William Shaffer.

He is survived by his son, Brad Shaffer and his wife, Diana, of Overbrook, KS; his daughter, Brenda Dahl and her husband, Derrick, of Overbrook, KS; a brother, Lyle Ardene Shaffer of Joplin, MO; five grandchildren, Corey (Kilee) Dahl, Alex (Natasha) Dahl, Shelby (Alex) Hedke, Hayley (Richard) Swan, and Tyler (Alex) Shaffer; and eight great-grandchildren.

To celebrate Larry’s life, a memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026 at Overbrook United Methodist Church, 1005 Maple St, Overbrook, KS 66524.  A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026 at the church.  A private family inurnment will follow at a later date at Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to Overbrook United Methodist Church or Overbrook Community Chest and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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