LARRY KENNETH HOLMAN
November 4, 1946 – December 9, 2025
Larry Kenneth Holman, 79, died on December 9, 2025, in Monticello, Illinois.
Son of Kenneth and Eva Holman, Larry was born on November 4, 1946, in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a 1963 graduate of Scotland County R-1 High School, a 1968 graduate of Northeast Missouri State College with a B.S. in Education, and a 1972 graduate of Central Missouri State University with an M.S. in Education. He was a devoted educator and coach throughout his career.
On August 26, 1967, Larry married Sharon Merrell at the Christian Church of La Belle, Missouri. In 1971, Larry and Sharon welcomed a daughter, Nichelle (Nicky). From 1968-1970, Larry taught in the Cuba Community Unit School District 3 in Cuba, Illinois, before being drafted into the U.S. Army from 1970-1971. From 1972-1974, Larry taught at Schuyler County R-1 High School in Lancaster, Missouri, and on August 4, 1973, Larry married Gay Anderson at the First Christian Church of Lancaster, Missouri. In 1974, Larry and Gay moved to Odessa, Missouri, where they were both teachers in the Odessa R-7 School District. In 1982, Larry and Gay welcomed a daughter, Ashlynn. Larry taught health and P.E. at Odessa Junior High School and Odessa Middle School, and driver’s education at Odessa High School, retiring in 1999. During his years teaching, Larry also coached football, basketball, and track, including the Missouri River Valley Conference champion Odessa High School girls basketball team.
Larry was an avid tractor puller and built 3 different super stock pulling tractors. He spent many summer weekends at pulls and county fairs throughout the Midwest as a member of the Missouri State Tractor Pullers Association and the Tractor Pullers of Missouri.
Larry is remembered by many for his dry sense of humor and skilled storytelling.
Larry is survived by his daughter, Nicky and husband Eric Anderson; daughter, Ashlynn and husband Andrew Stillwell; grandchildren: Will and wife Andie Mac Anderson, Collin and wife Natalie Anderson, Holly Anderson, Alton Stillwell, and Anderson Stillwell; great grandchildren: Dorothy Anderson, Liam Anderson, and Luke Anderson; and brothers-in-law: Hollie and wife Kathy Anderson, and Robert (Bud) and wife Tawni Anderson.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Gay Holman; parents, Kenneth and Eva Holman; son, Brian Holman; brother, Dale Holman; parents-in-law, James (Chuck) and Doris Anderson; sister-in-law, Estelle and husband Dennis Drane; and brother-in-law, Cole Anderson.
A visitation service will be held at Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri, on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM. A graveside service will follow visitation (weather permitting) at approximately 3:00 PM at Arni Memorial Cemetery with Sonny Smyser of Lancaster, Missouri officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Odessa R-7 Foundation at 701 S. Third St, Odessa MO 64076. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.
