Larry Young - News Director KSN/KODE

Larry’s passion for the news began in 1966 working part-time for KFRU (ABC) Radio affiliate. During his time at the University of Missouri, he worked for the college television station, KOMU-TV (NBC) affiliate as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, and production staff. While stationed at Chanute AFB, he worked part-time for WDWS AM/FM (CBS) radio affiliate as a weekend staff announcer. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Larry worked as a staff announcer (“combo” disc jockey) for an unaffiliated radio station, WSMD AM/FM in LaPlata, MD.

His career in television news began at WBOC-TV/AM/FM (CBS) in Salisbury, MD as a general assignment reporter/weekend anchor/staff announcer, then program director before transferring to KOAM-TV (CBS) in Pittsburg, KS as news director. He later moved into the role of news/program director and eventually director of operations, news and programming until the station was sold in 1987. He was hired as the news director for KODE-TV (ABC) affiliate from 1987-1999 when it, too, was sold. Later in 1999, Larry was hired to be the news director at KSN-TV (NBC) until it and KODE-TV (ABC) were purchased by Nexstar Broadcasting and he assumed the role of news director for both television stations until his health prevented him from working full-time.

Larry’s first priority was his family. He married Cheri Eichenberger on January 25, 1969 in Columbia, MO, and she survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Sarah Young, who lives in West Chester, PA, and Adrienne Young, who lives in Pittsburg, KS. Additional survivors include his parents, Opha and Lawrence Young; one sister, Sharon (Young) Harris and her husband, Mike, and their son, his nephew, Josh; his mother-in-law, Pat Eichenberger; sister-in-law, Leslie Dick and her husband, Woodrow, all of Belton, MO; and his niece and nephew, Emily (Dick) Wolfer and Woodrow F. Dick III.

He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Webb City, MO where he sang bass with the “back row boys” in the choir and also played in the bell choir. He loved the old gospel hymns, especially when they were sung in “barbershop quartet” harmony.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Webb City with Rev. John Sherwood, Rev. Ron Woody, Rev. Mike Harris, and Rev. Bob Easton officiating. A military burial will be at the Carl Junction Cemetery. Television news people/family will be seated as a group. Pallbearers will be Jim Dawson, John Harrison, Jim Horn, Reed Kneeland, John Reeves, and Bill Riggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Bandy, Darren Dishman, John Hoffmann, Gary Hood, Jim Jackson, Eric Schrader, and Bob Shryock.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 4, 2008 at Parker Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church’s new sanctuary building fund, Community Hospices of America, or the Lung Cancer Association. Arrangements have been entrusted to Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO.