Born on August 23, 1942, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Larry was the son of Wade and Sidney Flatt. He grew up in Wichita Falls, where he played on the 1958 State Champion Football team and graduated from high school in 1960. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, and in the summer of 1964, while working for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, he met the love of his life, Betty Robey. The two were married on June 1, 1965, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, and purpose.
Larry and Betty raised their family in Overland Park, Kansas, where Larry dedicated over 25 years of service to the City, first as the Parks and Recreation Director and later as the Community Development Director. Following his public service career, Larry combined his professional skills with his passion for golf, founding a golf course design and consulting firm that served communities throughout the Midwest.
In retirement, Larry devoted much of his time to serving others. He was an active volunteer at his church in Archie, Missouri, and also served as a volunteer chaplain at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri - roles that reflected his deep compassion and unwavering faith.
Golf was one of Larry’s great joys - he could often be found on the course on Saturday mornings or practicing his short game on his lunch break. But above all, Larry’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. As he once wrote, “I accepted Jesus' offer of salvation when I was 13 years old and attending Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, TX. When I was 23, I determined to follow Him closer and allow Him to be Lord of my life as well as Savior. He has never disappointed me and I enjoyed an amazingly blessed life under His leadership and love."
Larry lived a life marked by integrity, faith, and love. He served his Lord, his family, and his friends with steadfast devotion, offering his gifts of leadership, planning, and encouragement to those around him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Betty; his children, Dave Flatt of
Cleveland, Missouri, and Ellen Breth (John) of Overland Park, Kansas; and his treasured granddaughters, Hannah and Chloe Breth. He is also survived by his sister, Dianne Walker of Nebraska, and brother, Gary “Cotton” Flatt of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Sidney Flatt.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Fellowship Church in Archie, MO on Friday, April 11th with a visitation at 10am, followed by the service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Community Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
