Harry L. Klinginsmith

Harry Lee Klinginsmith, a 93 year-old Laredo resident passed away at 2:58 p.m., Thursday, January 20, 2022 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at the Rural Dale Baptist Church, Trenton. Visitation will be at the church from 1:00 to 1:30 prior to the service. Open visitation will be Monday, January 24, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Slater Neal Funeral home, Trenton.

Mr. Klinginsmith was born February 8, 1928 at Lucerne, MO. He was the youngest of six children of Irl Harvey and Ora Alice Thompson Klinginsmith. He attended rural schools and graduated from Lucerne High School in 1945. As a young adult he worked with his father on the family farm and when rural electricity became available he spent time wiring houses. He continued to enjoy electrical work his entire life and could often be found helping a neighbor by wiring a house, barn or grain bin.

On March 15, 1950 he married Doris Evelyn Hamilton who survives of the home. The couple were blessed with three children, Cheryl, Frances and Richard.

In 1951 he and lifelong partner set out from Putnam County on the adventure of farming and raising a family in Grundy, County, MO. They moved to the Laredo community where they farmed raising cattle, hogs and crops for over 50 years. After retirement he enjoyed building a new home, restoring old vehicles and tractors, countless hours of practicing and playing his violin, mowing his yard and spending time with Evelyn, his wife of 71 years.

Through the years he served many years on the Laredo School board, Laredo Fair Board, Rural Dale Cemetery Board and the FSA County Committee.

He was a Christian and devoted member of the Rural Dale Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn of the home, a daughter Frances Booth and her husband Dwayne of Kansas City. A son Rick Klinginsmith and his wife Diana of Laredo. Grandchildren Derreck Booth and his wife Amy of Gainsville, GA, Valerie Story and her husband Joe of Kansas City. Great grandchildren, Devin, Annie and Rowan Booth; Cooper and Luke Story. As well as many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cheryl Klinginsmith; a brother Irl Klinginsmith, Jr.; sisters  Opal Lutz, Gladys Heineman, Dorothy Lutz and Floy Smith.

Memorial are suggested to the Laredo Fire and First Responders or the Rural Dale Cemetery Association and may be left with Slater-Neal Funeral Home, Trenton.

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