Larry Lusk

Larry Allen Lusk, LCDR USN ret., 71, of Cape Girardeau 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 in 1964 from Cape Girardeau Central High School, 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 in 1968 from Southeast Missouri State University 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 Jan. 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 and Amber (Isaac) Venable of Jackson; one sister, Linda Held of Columbia, Missouri; one brother, Lonnie (Debbie) Lusk of Cape Girardeau; and 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 from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday 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.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.