Lawrence Earl Read

Lawrence Earl Read, 61 years old, of Holden, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Lawrence was born September 6, 1961 in Denver, Colorado to Earl and Rosemary (Bailey) Read. He is survived by: Three children, Amanda Read of Tucson, Arizona, April Protas and husband John of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Jameson Read of Trenton, Missouri; Grandchildren, Andrew Read, Alexander Protas and Aria Protas, all of Ft. Worth; his mother, Rosemary Read of Browning, Missouri; his siblings, Maria Smith of Holden, Missouri, Katy Clemens and husband Kevin of Weston, Missouri, Ben Read and wife Shawna of Richmond, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and a friend, Carolyn Uhler of Holden. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Read.

Lawrence, who also was known by his family and friends as “Larry,” “Outlaw,” “Breeze,” or “Hillbilly,” was an accomplished equestrian who was a favorite at the saddle club for dealing with horses that no one else wanted to ride.

Lawrence broke and trained many in the local Johnson County area. He assisted in training and the care of barrel racing horses for PRCA rodeos. Lawrence also managed the training, exercising, and care of horses on Carolyn Uhler’s farm, who is a world champion barrel racer. She relied on him for the day-to-day operations and will be deeply missed and irreplaceable. Working with horses came naturally for Lawrence at a very tender age and throughout his life.

Lawrence also had worked in oilfields, as a brick layer/stone mason, in construction, and as a farm hand. He had a great respect for living off the land. He was always outdoors with a horse or a cat. Music was very important to Lawrence, he was a great guitar player. He loved gardening, hunting, skiing, and reading. He also loved riding his motorcycle really fast. Lawrence always loved learning new things.

Lawrence was cremated and an interment will be held at a later date at the Jenkins Cemetery in Browning, Missouri. Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Milan, Missouri is handling arrangements.