In Memory

Larry Honza - Class Of 1964



 
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04/02/13 09:24 PM #1    

Ken Bowers (1964)

Larry was killed in the crash of an F-111 at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, in 1980.


04/17/13 08:59 AM #2    

Barbara Knecht (Kreutzer) (1964)

At the time of Larry's death, he was married to one of our classmates.  Linda McCauley.

We kept in touch for several years, but have drifted apart.  I notice she has not found this web site.

If anyone has any information on Linda I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,

Barbara (Knecht ) Kreutzer


04/18/13 10:05 AM #3    

Nancy Hagemann (1964)

Barb,
I can help you.
NBHagemann

04/18/13 10:09 AM #4    

Nancy Hagemann (1964)

Larry was one of those people you just don't forget. He had a perpetual smile on his face and was always upbeat and positive. His death left Linda with three little girls who she raised to be lovely young women. He would be proud of all four of these Honza women.

08/27/13 11:43 PM #5    

Linda McCauley (Thompson) (1964)

I have been fretting about this message for weeks, so here I am!  A most tragic death of such a fine young man, my husband, Larry Honza.  We were married for 7 months.  He died in an F-111 Air Force fighter jet on March 26, l980 at Mountain Home AFB, Mountain Home, Idaho.  For all of Larry's rambunctious, great fun personality, and he was so much fun, what many may not know is how sensitive, thoughtful,compassionate, and considerate a man he truly was.  He had adorable 3 daughters when we married, Jeni was almost 8, Dena and Tara were 3 1/2. He was a bit concerned about how I could handle zero to 3 overnight.  I did fine.  A cute story to illustrate, one of my favorites---when we married all of the girls were getting up in the night to go pottie or get a drink and all did so separately, of course. At first we both flew out of bed and after a couple of weeks at about 3 a.m. Larry threw his head back and laughed- he didn't know I had somehow grown Mom's ears.  You all can hear that laugh---he didn't have to have his ears turned on any longer.  Fortunately, that didn't last very long!!

In seven months we packed in a lot of fun, a lot of living, and a lot of shuffling and sorting!  It was great! It was just so painfully short! 

The girls and I moved to K.C. in July of l980.  Without a few people's help we'd have never made it.  Three of those very significant helpers were Micky Buckmaster Prelogar, Nancy Hagemann, and our late friend Bob Boyer.  Wow such help, Micky closed on the house I bought for us, I just sent her the "stuff" from Idaho after I returned there from the mad dash house hunt.  Nancy came over on moving in day with a pump pot of iced tea and a bag of cookies and said, I am here to help!" And she sure did!  Bob coached me on a handful of school related issues for the girls.  All good advice and it all worked out well!

At the end of our tale, the girls are all grown up, thank heavens, don't send me back to adolescent kids again soon!  And they are all well!  Educated, married and are bumping along in their lives.  Jeni has 2 daughters 12 and 7, Dena has 2 sons, 7 and 31/2, Tara has 1 daughter 12 and a son 9.  Jeni lives in Hampton, Va, Dena in O'Fallon, MO and Tara a few miles from us in Gerald,MO.  Jeni and Tara teach school, Dena is a "master stylist"  beautician.  Their kids are all well and doing well.  I took Tara's 2 on the train to Springfield, Ill to see Lincoln.  Wow that was terrific and a great time. 

I remarried in l990 to Jerry Thompson.  He owned a funeral home in Owensville, Mo and his sister was our neighbor in Idaho at Mountain Home.  Small world!  Jerry is retired now, a fine, loving man and he loves the girls!!  He sold the funeral home to his son and wonders how he had time to work?!  He has 4 children and we have 14 grandchildren and 10 greats!  Holy Cow!  We, too, are bumping along, going places and doing well.  We are mostly in good health as well. 

There is a Memorial to F-111 pilots at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico.  Larry is a part of the memorial.  He is buried at Johnson County Memorial Gardens, just south of Metcalf and College Blvd on the west side of Metcalf. 

As for me,  I inherited Larry's GI bill and went to graduate school at Rockhurst University and pounded out an MBA while getting us settled and moving forward!  Currently I am winding down 25 years as a New York Life agent.  Wow , what a life, and we are all doing A-OK.  Jerry and I built a home on a 187 acre lake just outside of Owensville.  I am always glad to see summer come and equally glad to see it go---Grandma and PaPa's all inclusive B&B resort, on the lake is due to close SOON for the season! 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in October.  We seem to have a class of tough and accomplished people! 

My Love, See you soon, Linda McCauley Honza Thompson

 PS to any who remember my Mom, Camille McCauley, she is popping along at 97 1/2, living in her own home, here, driving safely and doing quite well for 97! 

 


09/12/13 01:09 PM #6    

Michaila Buckmaster (Prelogar) (1964)

Linda.....you did a beautiful memorial to Larry and an update of all his "girls".  I will never forget my trip, with 22-month old P.J. in tow, to Mountain Home soon after the disasterous accident.  It was a bittersweet time with a dear friend fraught with so many emotions, so many decisions, and one future so shockingly cut short and an unknown one to begin.  It was my first time to meet the girls and comprehend the vast frontier ahead of you.  As life gracefully happens over time, the enormity of your future and that of the girls revealed itself one day at a time.  You are an exceptional person that stepped up to the plate and hung in for all nine innings.  It is a privilege to be your friend.

To remember Larry brings back a fun memory of T.P.ing his house one night and his dad running out.  There were several of us and no doubt Bob Boyer was driving.  Or it could have been Linda driving and just a bunch of us girls.  Either way and even though the details have faded, remembering that time puts a smile on my face and a thrill in my heart.  Good fun with fun friends.  You "rocked" Larry and so did the guys you hung with. 

Micky Buckmaster Prelogar    

   


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