Lawrence R. "Larry" Stein, age 72, of Springfield, Missouri passed away on Friday, February 18, 2011. Larry was born and reared on a farm in Iowa and loved farming his entire life. He was an avid gardener and always had a large vegetable garden at his home. His hobbies were fishing, wood working, and carpentry. Larry had been a long time employee of Dayco Industries, then was a long time school bus driver for Springfield Public School District. He owned his own lawn mowing and gardening service. Larry was always cheerful, friendly, and full of fun and was a great lover of his extended family. He was a member of University Heights Baptist Church. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Esther (Geisinger) Stein; and his son, Marty Ray Stein. Larry is survived by his wife, Grace, of the home; his children, Cindy Stein, Tammy McKee, Karen Stein, Jenny and husband Don Dinwiddie, Mandy and husband Matt Christy, Jacki and husband Chris Carver, Misti Stein, and Dawn and husband Joe Lawrence; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters and their husbands; and an abundance of nieces and nephews. Larry's services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 23, 2011, in Springfield under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial will be in White Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2011 in the funeral home.