Larry Gray

Larry Duane Eaton Gray, 44 of Higginsville, Missouri passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, at his home in Higginsville. He was born Saturday, May 16, 1981 in Lexington, Missouri, to Frank Burkhart and the late Jo Ann (Gray) Young. He was a graduate of Lexington High School - Class of 1999. Larry worked for American Curb and Flat Work of KC after high school until 2003 when he enlisted in the United States Army. In 2005 he married Holly Schieber and from this union two daughters were born. Larry completed two tours of deployment through Iraq and Afghanistan during his military career. The military was Larry's life. It gave him a feeling of unity, importance, pride, and brotherhood. He loved all the traveling the military gave him as well as all the training and skill sets. He served as an accomplished gunner and IED hunter. His Humvee was the first in all his convoys, hunting out all the landmines and road-bombs to protect the entire convoy. He was proud of his local service as well, being an instructor for the reserves and being reactivated for reserve support during Hurricane Katrina. During his service he was highly decorated with multiple awards including: the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/M Device, Combat Action Badge. When Larry wasn't defending our country and freedom, he enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and camping. He could live on a river bank and fish all day if he had to. He was a kind, caring and helpful man that would do absolutely anything for his daughters and family. Larry served his country heroically and proudly. He was a true American hero and will always be remembered for the sacrifices he made. Surviving are two daughters, Mackenzie Gray of Golden, MO, Madison Gray of Arkansas; father, Frank (Heidi) Burkhart of Lexington; step-father, Alex Young of Lexington; two brothers, Ricky Gray of Lexington, Jimmy (Ashley) Wallace of Independence, MO; four sisters, Shana Burkhart of Higginsville, Heather (Shawn) Barker of Odessa, MO, Brittany Stoner of Liberty, MO, Mercedes Stoner of Onarga, IL; maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Eaton of Lexington; and paternal grandmother, Betty Burkhart of Lexington. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jo Ann Young; one brother, Dustin Kidwell; grandparents, Leonard Gray, Larry Eaton, and Donald “Ed” Burkhart. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery - Higginsville. Inurnment will follow in the columbarium wall. A celebration of life social will directly follow inurnment at Fairground Park in Higginsville. Memorials may be made to Frank Burkhart to help with expenses.

Larry Gray

May 16, 1981 - May 16, 2025