Larry Kogl

Larry Joseph Kogl, 82, took his final journey and went home to heaven on Tuesday evening, December 6th, 2022, at his home in Atwood, KS. He was born February 10, 1940, in Atwood, KS to Harry and Alice (Dozababa) Kogl and was the oldest of five siblings.

Larry graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1958. Over 50 years later, the longtime bachelor was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Janice Schissler. They married on a snowy day, February 10, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. It was also Larry’s 78th birthday and he claimed it was the best birthday present ever.

His Catholic faith grew throughout his life becoming most important in his later years and was what he especially held onto after Jan’s tragic passing in 2019.

Larry learned to be a hard worker from his dad and enjoyed being a bricklayer, a trucker and a businessman the most. He owned and ran the Plainsman Tavern and the Poolhall in Atwood, KS and Cruisers in Colby, KS. He drove trucks in many capacities and for various people and businesses. He was very proud to become an independent owner-operator for Landstar and in 2008 he was honored to receive the Million-Mile Landstar Driver award. The “Wolfman” truly loved being out on the road seeing different places, hauling different types of loads, visiting family and friends and meeting people everywhere he went.

Larry was one-of-a-kind. He never met a stranger and was always happy to greet people with a smile and an unhurried conversation. He was perfectionist, and always had to do things the “right” way, or at least “his” way. Despite the occasional grumbles of curmudgeonry, he had a big heart, enjoyed life and cared about others.

He was loved and his presence will be greatly missed during family dinners, get-togethers, and phone calls. His ready smile, handshakes, and conversations will be missed by his family and his many friends from Atwood and across the country.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents; sister, Vivian Bondurant; brother-in-law Dennis Buford and nephew, Trevor Buford.

He leaves behind many unique and special memories with his family: sisters, Mardell Buford, of Atwood, KS; Julian (Woody) Woodward of Lenexa, KS; and brother, James (Vicki) Kogl of Atwood, KS, 3 nieces, 5 nephews, 13 great nieces and nephews, and a step-granddaughter.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 11, 2022, from 8-9:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood, KS, with a vigil at 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Larry enjoyed and supported the Atwood community throughout his lifetime. Memorials may be made to the Jayhawk Theatre, Atwood Public Library or the Rawlins Co. Food Pantry and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com