Larry L. Block

Pastor Larry LeRoy Block, 78, of Excelsior Springs, MO, gained Heaven on March 29, 2021.

Larry was born July 29, 1942, in Des Moines, IA, the second of four children of Gust and Vernita (Ackerman) Block. His parents and younger brother Jim preceded him in death.

Larry was saved at age five, baptized in the Holy Spirit at age seven, and began a seven decade ministry at age 14 playing the saxophone at old-fashioned tent revivals. Throughout his life, Larry was a talented musician, incorporating music with preaching the Gospel and traveled with many gospel groups through his college years.

With his dad serving in the ministry, Larry moved to California with his family where he graduated from Mount Miguel High School in Lemon Grove.

Following studies at Eugene Bible College in Eugene, OR, Larry began serving as a Youth Pastor in Seattle, WA. He pastored churches up and down the west coast and traveled ten years on the road across the US as an evangelist. He served as President of a Bible College in Des Moines, IA and pastored four years in Creston, IA. Larry pioneered Northside Assembly of God in Jefferson, IA and pastored there for nine years. His son Rod currently is Senior Pastor at Northside. Larry came to ES First in Excelsior Springs, MO in 1996, where he served as Senior Pastor until the time of his homegoing.

Larry was beloved and very active in the Excelsior Springs community. He was a Certified Firefighter and served as Chaplain for the Fire and Police Departments. Larry continued to serve as Excelsior Springs PD Chaplain until his passing. He loved golfing, fishing and was a licensed pilot.

On August 19, 1961, Larry was united in marriage to Carol Newby. His loving wife Carol preceded him in death in 1970.

On August 29, 1971, Larry was united in marriage to Nancy Joe Girdner. They would celebrate 50 years together this year. All in all, Larry's favorite thing to do was to spend lots of time with his beautiful wife Nancy Joe.

Along with Nancy Joe, Larry leaves his children, David Block (Kim), Rod Block (Jessica), Brandon Block, Jonathan Block (Jessica) and Allison Weedin (Ryan); grandchildren, Tylar (Heidi), McKenzie (Jeremy), Courtney, Jasmynn, Aaron (Makayla), Elijah, Mariah, Jadon, Reagan, Avarey, Judah, Isabella, Ireland, Creston, Kaci, Grace and Jolene; great grandsons, Jack and Zebulon; siblings, Beverly Lewis and Rick Block (Winona); spiritual son, Joshua Lester (Ashley); as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends too many to count.

Training young people and developing ministers was always a calling in Pastor Larry's life, evidenced by the multitude of individuals that point to him as a mentor. His legacy lives on through each of them.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Monday, April 5, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1640 North State Route 291, Liberty, MO. A service celebrating Larry's life will be held at noon Tuesday, April 6, at Northland Cathedral, 101 NW 99th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Excelsior Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Larry Block Memorial Fund at ES First Church in Excelsior Springs, and left at the funeral home, at the service or given at www.esfirst.org/giving.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Monday, April 5, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1640 North State Route 291, Liberty, MO. A service celebrating Larry’s life will be held at noon Tuesday, April 6, at Northland Cathedral, 101 NW 99th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Excelsior Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Larry Block Memorial Fund at ES First Church in Excelsior Springs, and left at the funeral home, at the service or given at www.esfirst.org/giving.