Larry Maples

(From Parker Mortuary)

Larry S.S. Dale Maples, beloved family man, and retired Missouri State public defender passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Via Christi in Pittsburg, Kansas at the age of 73.

Larry Maples was born on September 11, 1948, in Miami, Oklahoma, to the late Ervin and Dorothy (Scoles) Maples. He served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1970 until 1976 while earning his Law Degree in 1975 from the University of Missouri.

He met Donna Greer while serving in private practice, and they were united in marriage on April 6, 1977, in Miami, Oklahoma. In 1982 Larry left his private practice to serve as a Missouri State public defender until his retirement in 2017. During his 35yrs of public service, Larry believed his job fulfilled a fundamental and constitutionally protected right to represent a defendant who otherwise could not afford an attorney. He was a proud and humble man who took his service to his community as a responsibility and an honor.

Larry became a long-time resident of Joplin, Missouri, where he and Donna raised their three children. Their favorite pastime was to travel with their friends, Marvin and Hazel. He was also an active member and served as Elder of the Blendville Christian Church.

A dedicated husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Larry enjoyed photographing and recording the family activities on video. Any event, large or small, sports or talent show, you always found him with his camera and video camera attentively capturing the action. He had an overwhelming pride in his family that was evident to everyone around him; he took great joy in displaying and sharing the mountains of photos and videos he collected.

Known for his intellect, kindness, and humility, all the kids in the family relied on him for help to ensure we were passing our classes. If you know anything about the stubbornness of his kids and grandkids, he had to be a saint to survive tutoring us all. It also goes to show he had a wonderfully dry sense of humor.

Larry is survived by his wife, Donna Maples, of Joplin; two children, Kevin Maples and wife, April, of Joplin; and Dorothy Maples, and partner, Angela Satcher, of Minneapolis; four grandchildren, Katelynn Maples, Makenzie Maples, Landon Maples, and Dawson Maples; and one great-grandchild, Hadley Bartlett. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Painter.

Funeral services will be hosted on Tuesday, February 15, at 11:00 AM at Parker Mortuary, 1502 S Joplin Ave, Joplin. Burial to follow with full military honors at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. Visitation is open to family and friends on Monday, February 14th, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Parker Mortuary in Joplin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Joplin and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.