Larry W. Gemmell, 79, of rural Girard, died at 5:36 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 at his residence.
Larry was born Feb. 24, 1947 at rural McCune, the son of Ralph W. and LaVerna N. (Collier) Gemmell. He attended grade school at McCune and graduated from McCune High School. He attended Pittsburg State University.
Larry served in the US Navy and received his Honorable Discharge on Aug. 26, 1966.
Larry married Gloria S. Burtnett-Gemmell on July 4, 1997 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Gloria survives of the home.
Larry worked at Montgomery Wards in Chanute and Parsons. He owned and operated a restaurant at the truck stop south of Erie and he later hauled gasoline to his fuel stations in Humboldt, Chanute, and Coffeyville. He owned and operated an auto repair shop in Humboldt during the early 80’s through the mid 90’s before opening an auto repair shop at his residence.
He enjoyed his family, racing cars at MoKan and at the Nationals, his 1964 and 1965 Ford Falcons, all things mechanical, and Larry always had the latest upgrades in computers and tools.
Larry was a life long member of the Osage First Presbyterian Church at rural McCune.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Gloria, of the home, are his sons, David Ficuss, and his wife, Julie, of Leavenworth and Jason Burtnett, and his wife, Jennifer, of Girard. His daughters, Angela Kappler of Aurora, Missouri, Kim Lyons of Orlando, Florida, Jessice Senecal of Anchorage, Alaska, and Amanda Miller of St. Louis, Missouri. 17 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Larry Joe Gemmell, on Oct. 8, 2005, and his sister, Mary Ann Simpson.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026 at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard with Pastor Don Wymore officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m., in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott with Military Honors given by the US Navy. Friends may call after 2 p.m., Monday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Memorial are suggested to the Osage First Presbyterian Church and these may be left at the service or mailed to the Smith-Carson-Wall funeral home at PO Box 258, Girard, 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.
