Larry Allen Lusk

Larry Allen Lusk, LCDR USN Ret., 71, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Sunday, April 16, 2017 at the family farm in Fayette, Missouri. He was born March 26, 1946 in Pineville, Missouri to Robert Allen and Edith Alleen Dwight Lusk. He and Carolyn Jeanette Maevers were married July 27, 1968 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Larry graduated from Cape Central High School in 1964 where he lettered in football, track and basketball. He was a boy scout, took piano lessons, was in the Civil Air Patrol and sang in the choir. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He was a letterman on the swim team, was president of the Flying Indians (flying club), and a member of the SEMO Grotto Club. Larry received a commission to the United States Navy on January 1, 1969. He was awarded the Naval Aviator Warfare Qualification and completed Advanced Flight Training. The majority of his career was spent flying the P-3 Orion on antisubmarine and maritime patrol during the Cold War. He served a tour as flight instructor at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He concluded his 20-year career at Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis serving as the Naval Liaison Officer, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1989. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Expert Shot (Pistol), Air Medal, and Joint Meritorious Service Medal. During his career Larry visited over 25 countries. After retirement he lived on the family farm in Fayette where he was a member of the Lions Club, Farm Bureau, and Fayette City Council. He returned to Cape Girardeau in 2001. He was a lifelong member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, and attended Sharon Bible Church and First Baptist (choir member) while living in Fayette. His interests included caving, canoeing, floating, boating, working on the family farm, helping anyone and everyone (especially family) and had much affection for the internal combustion engine. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Carolyn Lusk of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Sara (John) Moll of Branson, Missouri, Heather (Dustin) Crass of Cape Girardeau, Amber (Isaac) Venable of Jackson, Missouri; one sister, Linda Held of Columbia, Missouri; one brother, Lonnie (Debbie) Lusk of Cape Girardeau; eight grandchildren, Ella, Daniel and Tony Moll, Ashley and Hailey Crass and Elias, Grace and Aiden Kyle. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the church with the Rev. David Conley officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau with full military rites by Missouri Honors Team. Memorial contributions may be given to Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

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Larry Allen Lusk

March 26, 1946 - April 16, 2017