Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Malcom Brothers, 90, of Joplin Mo and formerly of Washington, Indiana, passed away on Friday, January 23 with his family members by his side. He was born on December 24, 1924 to August and Mable Brothers from Washington, Indiana. Larry attended grade school and high school at St. Simons Catholic School in Washington, Indiana. Larry was a licensed optometrist.
Larry had a great life as a devoted and loving husband, a father to six children, and a grandparent to 14 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his two sisters Louise Carrico, and Rose Erwin, and three brothers, James, Kenneth and Donnie. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lucy Katherine (Ladisich) Brothers, four daughters, Patricia Roam (Chuck), Janet Parrish (Dennis), Beverly Rouse (Stewart), Diane McKinney (Jim), and two sons Dan (Teresa) and Larry (Rosie).
After graduation from high school on a Friday, he boarded a train and headed to basic training camp in California the following Monday. Larry served his country in the United States Army as an Army Sergeant in World War II, participating in the European theater and in the Battle of the Bulge. After serving in the Army he attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Before graduation Larry met Lucy K. Ladisich on a blind date and they were married the following year on January 9, 1951 at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. She served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurses Corp.
In 1951, Larry settled in Joplin Missouri and began his practice with his former roommate in Optometry school, Dr. Robert Cable. Larry practiced for 33 years as an optometrist and influenced his two sons to follow in his footsteps.
He served on many optometric boards, including president of the Heart of America Contact Lens Congress, president of the Missouri Optometric Association, a member of the American Optometric Association, and also as a member of the American Academy of Optometry. One special love Larry and Lucy had was providing free eyeglasses for the needy people of Mexico, Peru, Africa, and Central America through a program called Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). He and Lucy served on 24 missions together in 22 years.
In his spare time, Larry and his family raised cattle, horses and chickens and worked in the family garden. The family’s 40 acres were always full of pets, including the family dog, Laddie (there were two different “Laddies” over the years). Larry enjoyed golfing, camping, fishing and boating on the area lakes, especially Beaver Lake in northern Arkansas where he owned a cabin. He spent many weekends pulling skiers around the lake, fishing, and scuba diving.
Larry was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin and served as one of the first Eucharistic ministers. He also served on the St. Mary’s Parish Council. He and Lucy were devout Catholics who attended daily Mass for many years, raising all six of their children in the Catholic school system. Larry and Lucy traveled on a pilgrimage to Medjugoria to witness the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary had been appearing and sharing messages to the world. They both returned feeling spiritually strengthened and renewed in their own faith.
Larry was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Joplin serving as a Grand Knight, and he was also a longtime member of the Joplin Elks #501 Lodge in Joplin as well as the Joplin Lions Club. He played an active role with the Boy Scouts troops when his boys were younger.
In their later retirement years, Larry and Lucy spent 24 winters in southern Texas where they enjoyed the warm climates, fresh fruits and vegetables and the company and friendship of the other snowbirds. They always returned to Joplin around the Easter season to be with family members and friends for the summer.
Larry was always a teaser and never met a person he didn’t like. He would always extend a handshake to a complete stranger and would talk with anyone who would listen. He loved his wife, his family, his job and his faith. He always carried his billfold, his keys and a rosary in his side pocket.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin, Missouri with Father Justin Monaghan officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri. A Rosary is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri. Memorials are being directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and contributions may be left at the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through www.thornhilldillon.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.
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