Larry Eldred Cowles, 77, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at KU Medical Center. Born at KU Medical Center on March 20th, 1948, to Eldred Cowles and Lillian DeLong. He spent most of his childhood in Kansas City, KS, where he was raised by his father and after became part of a blended family when his father married Lorraine Freitag who had a son, Charles.  Together they made their home in Kansas City in the 1950’s and 1960’s as Larry grew up.

Larry graduated from Washington High School in 1966, where he was a member of the marching band, played the clarinet, and was in Mixed Chorus.  He was drafted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam from January 1968 to December 1969.  He attained the rank of E-4 and served as a truck driver. He operated 3/4 -ton Jeeps and 21/4-ton trucks.  During his service, Larry suffered a life-threatening indecent where he was bitten by a venomous snake while on guard duty.   He was a proud veteran and would wear his hat everywhere he went to show how proud he was to be a part of the US Army.

In 1970, Larry married Sue Vance and they welcomed a daughter, Tammie, that same year. In 1988, Larry remarried Stephennie Paluka and together they welcomed a daughter, Jennifer.

Larry spent his years after the Army still serving the community in different ways.  He was a shoe department manager at Spencer Co. After that he went on to be a floor manager at Sav-On Discount Furniture.  In 1993 he began a career as a Bus Driver with Kansas City Kansas Public School District. He was known as bus 90, and after years driving bus 90, he then drove bus 13.  Larry retired from bus driving in 2010, and then after a few years off he came back as a bus aide for a couple years. 

Larry and Stephennie enjoyed a peaceful retirement together until her passing in February of 2023.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Stephennie, and many other family members.

Larry is survived by his family, Jennifer (Terry), Tammie (John), Erika (Chandler) , 4 granddaughters, 2 brothers, and many more nieces and nephews and cousins.