Larry William Hockensmith, 69, of Springfield, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Magnolia Square Nursing Home.  He was born on November 3, 1954, in Louisville, Kentucky, to William and Reba Hockensmith.

Larry grew up in Springfield, attended Springfield Public Schools, and was a member of University Heights Baptist Church. He worked at Safety, Miller, Meadors, Springfield Paramedics, Medi-Transit, and was a member of the Cox Mobile Coronary Care Unit. He was also employed as a security officer and later Director of Security at Cox Hospital for several years. His last job was as a "roadie", driving and setting up and taking down equipment for a band. Larry was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and he loved rock music, fast cars and fishing. Of all his siblings, Larry was the most tender-hearted, and he always seemed to know lots of people.  You would never meet anyone who didn't like him. He really cared about people. They often remarked "that you couldn't help but like him" and teachers said, "he was such a sweet boy." People loved being with him and loved to hear his stories. Everyone at Magnolia Square liked him, and he enjoyed helping those in wheelchairs get to meals and activities. Most of all, Larry loved his daughter Katie and was very proud of her.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Katie Hockensmith, of Wisconsin; his brother, Phillip Hockensmith and his wife, Jan, of Springfield; his sister Karen Shipman and her husband, Lyle, of Rogersville, and sister Becky Stepp and her husband, Cliff, of Nixa. Larry is also survived by his nephews Lee and Andrew, and by nieces Sara and Lindsey, and many other friends and family members.

Graveside Services will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield with Dr. Nolan Porter officiating under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 11:00 on Monday, April 8, 2024.