Larry Spalding

Larry "Kelan" Spalding, age 74, passed away Friday, July 30, 2010, in Springfield. Kelan was born February 17, 1936, in Eugene, the youngest of six children born to Robert Ford Spalding and Opal Bruce Spalding. He grew up as a small-town boy known for his kindness and sense of fun - a character molded by his loving family and close boyhood friends. As a boy, Kelan was baptized in the Eugene Christian Church, and at the time of his death was a member of Parkview Christian Church in Springfield. Kelan was an outstanding high school and junior college basketball player, with a fade-away jump-shot his opponents could seldom touch. A 1954 graduate of Eugene High School, Kelan later attended Hannibal-LeGrange Junior College and Jefferson City Junior College on basketball scholarships before entering the work force - first in the clothing industry and later in the insurance industry, which he retired from in 1993. On December 2, 1955, in Eugene, Kelan married Norma Jane Sestak, with whom he had four children: three sons, Jeff, Craig, and Kip; and one daughter, Joni. On October 13, 1990, Kelan married Betty Carpenter, who survives in Springfield. Kelan was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. Kelan and his wife Betty enjoyed dancing, traveling and the fellowship of their friends, neighbors, and family. In addition to his wife Betty, Kelan is survived by: one daughter, Joni Spalding of Stover; three sons, Jeff Spalding and his wife Connie of Sedalia, Craig Spalding and his wife Debbie of Concordia, and Kip Spalding and his wife Darla of Miller; three stepsons, Randy, Rick and Tim Carpenter; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Rayma Gray Henley of Eldon; one brother, Gary Spalding of Russellville; and three nieces and two nephews, who will all miss him very much. Kelan was preceded in death by: his parents, Robert Ford Spalding and Opal Bruce Spalding; two sisters, Irma May Litto and Martha Sue Spalding; one brother, Robert Bruce Spalding; and one nephew, Jack Gray. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the Eugene Cemetery with Alan McNeely officiating. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Eugene Cemetery. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Russellville. www.scrivner-morrow.com