Larry Eugene Garms, 69, of Steelville, MO passed away Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. He was born March 23, 1941 in Cherryville, MO to William Henry Garms and Essie Gates Garms. On November 10, 1962 in Steelville, he was united in marriage to Joyce Carr who survives of the home. Larry had retired in 2001 from the Missouri Department of Transportation after twenty-three years and had worked part-time for several years at the Huzzah Valley Resort. Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Steelville. He was a member of the Lebanon Masonic Lodge of Steelville. He served thirty-one years in the Army and National Guard and was a firearms trainer the last few years. He was a recipient of the "President's 100" award which was a distinctive presentation given to the best Pistol and Rifle Marksmen in a special competition at the National Rife/Pistol Matches in Camp Perry, OH. This coveted award was authorized to be worn on the Arm Class A uniform by Army regulation. Only the best marksmen who shot the top scores in the "President's Match" qualified for this award. Larry was the recipient of the distinguished Pistol Badge in 1982 which is also a very coveted award.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle. Larry was an avid gun collector and when friends needed information on guns, he was always ready to share his knowledge. He also enjoyed reading books on the Civil War and WWII. Larry will always be remembered as Santa as he played the part many times. Larry will be sadly missed by his wife of forty-seven years, Joyce, of Steelville, MO; one son, Larry Eugene "Gene" Garms II of Cook Station, MO; one daughter, Delores Mae Pedge; two brothers, Jay Garms and wife Betty and Earl Garms and wife Georgia all of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth Garms, Edward Carr and wife Carol and James Carr and wife Elizabeth all of Steelville, MO and Myrna Luke and husband Ralph of Anderson, IN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Fred Arthur Garms and wife Hattie and Raymond Adolph Garms; brothers-in-law, William Glenn Carr and wife Wanda, Kermit Carr and wife Eleanor, Calvin "Chink" Carr; sisters-in-law, Virginia Norris and husband Ted and Leota Land and husband Robert. Visitation was from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Masonic services held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating and Kent Howald reading the obituary. Prelude and Postlude were played by organist, Wanda Ransom. Other music of "Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone" and "Temporary Home" was played during the service. Rev. Jerry Beers concluded the service by singing and playing "Go Rest High." Committal prayer and burial were in the Carr Cemetery at Cook Station, MO. Full military honors were conducted by the U.S. Army. Honored to be casket bearers were Alan Grayson, Larry Branson, Jerry Bryan, Cleo Chandler, Bill Cape and Colin Vandergriffe. Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in c/o of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Steelville, MO. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.