Larry Leroy Booth

Larry Leroy Booth, age 93, of Colby, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Citizens Medical Center in Colby.

He was born June 15, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Leroy Camille and Dorothy Helene (Hall) Booth.

Larry graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City. He joined the United States Marines and fought in the Korean Conflict, where he was honored with a Purple Heart and an expert marksmanship award. Following his military service, Larry attended Ottawa University and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology.

He continued his education at Central Baptist Seminary, where he graduated with a degree in Christian education. Larry also served as a Navy Reserve chaplain.

Larry dedicated fifteen years to the ministry and served as the administrator at Lantern Park Manor in Colby. He worked as an interim administrator in several nursing homes throughout Kansas and Nebraska. Larry resumed preaching as an interim pastor across Kansas and Nebraska, and served as the preacher at the Presbyterian Church in Hoxie, Kansas, and the First Congregational Church in Grant, Nebraska.

Larry was instrumental in starting Pickin’ on the Plains Music Festival in Colby 30 years ago.

Larry was married to Joann Krueger and later to his current wife, Jo (Bannister) Booth. His parents, son Stephen Leroy Booth, sister Jacqueline (Bill) Shultz, brother- in-law Bill Shultz, and his nephew David Shultz passed before him.

He is survived by his children: Larry Dale, Timothy Michael, and Jon Martin (Renae) Booth, all of Hays; stepchildren Kristi Foss of Manitou Springs, Colo., and Kendall (Laura Reif) Foss of Plainville; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren.

A service to honor his life was held on January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Colby United Methodist Church. Burial was in Beulah Cemetery following the service.

Memorials are suggested to Pickin’ on the Plains Music Festival and to Sons of the American Legion and may be mailed to Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.