Lairus Lee "Larry" Arndt

Thursday, March 19, 2015
Lairus Lee "Larry" Arndt

Lairus Lee "Larry" Arndt, age 78, resident of Uniontown, Kan., died unexpectedly Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at his home. He was born May 12, 1936 in Hector, Minn., the son of Walker J. Arndt and Evelyn V. Lindberg Arndt. He grew up on the family farm in Minnesota. Following graduation from high school, Larry served seven years in the United States Air Force and the National Guard. Following his discharge he worked for the electric company in Topeka, Boeing Aircraft in Wichita and Armco Steel, and retired following 22 years as an equipment operator with the State of Kansas KODT. His first marriage was to Rosie Fern Jackson and to this marriage was born two daughters. Rosie preceded him in death in 2001. On Oct. 4, 2003, he married Goldie Weyant. She survives at the home in Uniontown. Following retirement, Larry's favorite pastime was to recycle metal and donate the proceeds to the Uniontown Fire Department of which he was an active member until his health begin to fail. He also gathered used newspapers and donated the money to the Bronson Ruritan for Bronson park projects. A favorite pastime for Larry and Goldie was to attend the Fort Scott Jubilee.

In addition to his wife, Goldie, he is survived by two daughters, Lora Ripper and husband Jack, Bronson, Kan., and Dawanda Dixon and husband Mike of Shreveport, La. Also surviving are three step-children, Chuck Weyant, Bronson, Matt Weyant and Mary Beerbower of Uniontown; five grandchildren, Levi and Dallas Riper, Tyler, Blake and Ryan Dixon; numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren including 6-month-old Jace Ripper. Larry also helped raise five step-children, Kenny, Danny, Betty, Gloria, and Freda Culbertson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lynnette Swanson.

Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct memorial services at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following services there will be cremation with private family burial in the Uniontown Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends from 9:30 Saturday until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Uniontown Fire Department and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be sent to the online wall at cheneywitt.com.