Larry D. Yockey

Larry D. Yockey, 75, of rural Parsons, passed away peacefully at 5:00 pm., on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Labette Health, surrounded by his loving family.

Larry Don Yockey was born on January 16, 1946 at Erie, Kansas, one of four children born to Robert Ernest Yockey and Bonnie Belle (Leckenby) Yockey.  Larry spent his early years in Erie, where he attended school, graduating from the Erie High School in 1964.

In 1967, Larry started his career, attending the Wichita Barber College where he graduated in 1968.  In those days, part of his education experience included an apprenticeship, which he completed by working for The Sportsman Barbershop in Emporia, Kansas.  In 1969, Larry returned to Erie, where he had a barbershop for a time.  In 1972, Larry started the Sportsman Barbershop on Katy Drive in Parsons.  In 1976, Larry had a new building constructed and moved to his current location on Crawford Street.  He was born with the gift of gab, and was always telling a story, and no one ever knew whether his stories were true or if he was pulling your leg. It was the highlight of his day to tell stories in the barbershop. He continued to serve a large clientele until just before his death.

Larry loved drag racing and had raced cars since the age of sixteen, when he raced for the first time in a 1959 Bonneville at Mo-Kan Dragway in Asbury, Missouri. Mo-Kan became his second home and favorite hobby. Passing his love of drag racing on to his son, Adam, son-in-law, Mike and grandsons, Ayden and Landon. Larry had also been honored to be inducted into the Mo-Kan Dragway Hall of Fame in 2007. This was an honor he was very proud and surprised to have received.  In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting pheasant and quail and spent much time at a family farm in western Kansas.

On September 14, 1968, Larry was united in marriage to Joy Hollenback at the Evangelical United Brethren Church, now Faith Methodist Church in Parsons. Larry met his future wife and love, Joy, in February 1967. It has been said many times that the 1967 Chevelle was what caught her eye, but it was his charm that won her heart. When he left for barber school, he was going to sell the car, but Joy refused to let him and took over the payments. They celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary by driving that 1967 Chevelle to the celebration of their anniversary. For 52 years she was his biggest supporter, and they were attached at the hip. She survives of the home.

Survivors include

His wife of over 52 years, Joy – of the home

One Daughter:  Krista Fisher (Mike) – of Girard, Kansas

Two Sons:  Jared Yockey – of Parsons, Kansas

Adam Yockey (Christi) – of Girard, Kansas

Five Grandchildren:  Kallen Yockey, Morgan Harris, Ayden Fisher, Karlyn Fisher and

Landon Yockey

Two Great-grandchildren:  Addlee Grace Ewan and Bentley Barto.

Two Brothers:  Ronnie Yockey (Colleen) – of Moscow, Pennsylvania

Bob Yockey (Phyllis)  - of Cassville, Missouri

One Sister:  Judi Hopkins (Neil) – of Joplin, Missouri

Several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends who became family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Erie Federated Church in Erie, Kansas.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where friends may call after 1:00 p.m. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page.   For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Erie Federated Church.  These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, PO Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357.