Fayette native Larry Joe Leech, a well-known educator and civic leader, died at his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on April 4, 2022. He was 74 years of age.

The youngest child of Dr. Maurice P. and Jean Painter Leech, Larry Leech was born at Lee Hospital in Fayette on September 6, 1947. He received his early education at the Fayette public schools, graduating with the class of l965. He continued his education at Central Methodist College, earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education from that institution and later his Master’s and Specialist's degrees in Education Administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Larry honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army, spending two years in Germany during his enlistment.

After his return home to Missouri, he began a career in education that was to continue for all his working life. He taught in the public schools of Houston and New Franklin, Missouri. After completing his administrative credentials, he was high school principal at Houston, New Franklin, Hermann, and Eldon Missouri. In 1998 Larry returned home to Fayette when he accepted the position of Superintendent of Fayette R-III School District. His strong commitment to the district and hard work gained him wide respect from his staff, the student body, and the community. As it is with all superintendents, his tenure at Fayette presented him with many opportunities and challenges. Possibly the greatest of these challenges was the disastrous fire that destroyed the high school building in 2000. With his leadership and the support of the community, a new and better Fayette High School rose from the ashes of the old in record time.

On October 10, 1987, Larry Leech and Carol Glynn were united in marriage. The couple enjoyed more than 34 years together, making their home in Fayette and later after his retirement in Hermann, Missouri and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Wherever his career took him, Larry was always an active participant in his church and in the community. He was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church of Fayette, serving in leadership positions throughout the congregation. He was a member of Herman Lodge No. 123 A.F.&A.M. and enjoyed his work with the Fayette Rotary Club and the Round Table Club of Fayette.

Along with his passion for people was his love for golf, but neither exceeded his love for his family. His time spent with them was the joy of his life.

Surviving Larry are his wife, Carol, of the home and his children, Kelly (Jon Richardson) Leech of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Nathan (Sandy) Leech of Branson, Missouri, Kimberly Harrison of Kirkwood, Missouri, Christopher Glynn of Beaverton, Oregon, and in addition, Brandi Groves and Cody Horn of Herman, Missouri. Also surviving is his brother Mark (Sharon) Leech of Herman, Missouri; his sisters, Shirley Leech of Marion, Arkansas, Sharon Krumm of Baltimore, Maryland, and Sandy (Carter) Ward of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren; Matthew, Mason, Cooper, Addy, Max, and Eliza; and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A memorial service for Larry Joe Leech will be held at the First Christian Church of Fayette on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Kerry Kesey officiating. Private Interment at Walnut Ridge Cemetery will precede the service.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Leech Scholarship Fund at Central Methodist University or to the Fayette First Christian Church. These may be directed to Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service; 174 Hwy 5&240 North; Fayette, MO 65248.