Larry Neff

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Larry Dean Neff, 76, Neosho, died May 29, 2016 at Freeman Neosho Hospital at the age of 76. 

Larry was born Dec. 19, 1939 in Neosho, Missouri and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Goodman High School and served in the U.S. Navy, 1957-1960. 

During the 1950s and 60’s he partnered with his father, Archie Neff and they owned and operated the Neff Strawberry Farms, the largest producer of strawberries in the four state area. He graduated from Crowder College and attended M.S.S.C. and had served as Newton County Clerk. Larry owned and operated Red Carpet Construction and Real Estate, 1969 – 2009 and was a licensed Missouri real estate broker for 32 years and was a state certified appraiser. 

He was a founding President and board member emeritus of the Newton/McDonald County Board of Realtors’, founded in 1970. He was a real estate developer and builder the past 45 years and owned and managed over 100 residential and commercial properties. He proudly served on the Board of Directors of Freeman Neosho Hospital for twenty years and currently served as chairman of the board and also was a member of the Board of Freeman Health Systems for nineteen years. In 2004, he received the Hospital Excellence in Governance Award from the Missouri Hospital Association. 

He was a founding committee member of Neosho Southwest Missouri Y.M.C.A., serving five years on the board and a member of the capitol campaign committee. He was a member of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce for the past 30 years and was recognized as ‘Citizen of the Year in 1995’ by the Chamber of Commerce. 

He served on the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee for 25 years and had served as chairman and was proud of the accomplishments achieved during his tenor. He also served on the Missouri Finance Development Board, under three Governors. He had served on the board of Neosho Savings and Loan. Larry was instrumental in fundraising and the development of the Faithful Friends Animal Advocates Building. He was a member of the Rotary Club and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award and a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors

Larry D. Neff, Jr. and wife, MaryAnn, Son

Terry Neff and wife, Beth, Son

Dr. Richard Simonds, Son

Rachel Bronson and husband, Zach,Granddaughter

Christian Allen Neff, Grandson

Courtney Neff, Granddaughter

Nolan Dean and Ella Bronson, Great Grandchildren

Rich Neff and wife, Penny, Half Brother

Gwen Seamon, Half Sister

Vicky Michael, Half Sister

Preceded in death by

Phylis Ann Neff, wife and mother of his three sons

Peggy Neff, wife

Archie Neff, father and Eliza Gum, mother

Funeral Services

10 am, Thursday, June 2, 2016
Calvary Baptist Church
Oakridge Extension Neosho, Mo 64850

Visitation

5-7 pm, Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Clark Chapel of Memories
312 S. Wood St. Neosho, Mo 64850