Col. Larry Ralph Kearns, Usaf (Ret.)

Colonel Larry Ralph Kearns, 74, left this life to join his Heavenly Father the morning of November 8, 2018. He was born June 10, 1944 in Lincoln, Nebraska to the late Ralph E. and Winifred Bloss Kearns. After extensive travel with his dad, who was in the Army, he graduated from high school in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduation from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in January 1967, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the United States Air Force. He and his family enjoyed the many places they traveled. During his illustrious career, he was assigned to eight stateside bases and served tours in Spain and Korea. He retired in 1994 after 27 years of dedicated service to his country.

Larry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a man with a big heart always thinking of others and known for his dry sense of humor and quick wit. Not only did he have a quiet strength, but was also a great listener, encourager, writer, photographer, animal lover, and world traveler. As an active member of Central Baptist Church, he enjoyed everything from his Life Group to helping with Upward Sports. Larry was very soft spoken, but when he spoke, you listened.

His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of 53 years, Rosemary O’Neal Kearns of Hattiesburg, Mississppi; his two daughters, Natalie Bohlken (Joel) of Palmer, Nebraska, and Marcia Ellsworth (Brad) of Plano, Texas; and seven grandchildren, Megan Christensen (Rich), Dustin Gerdes, Stacy Bohlken, Marie Bohlken, and Nathan, Braelyn, and Braxton Ellsworth; and great-granddaughter, Addison Christensen.

Visitation will be Monday, November 12, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterwards, Mr. Kearns will be laid to rest in Andersonville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Mr. Kearns to Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 1120 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Kearns’ arrangements.