Larry Soice left this world peacefully on April 28 after a valiant battle with Amyloidosis. Larry was best known as a quiet man of few words, a man of grace. Humble. A role model to some, a hero to others. Even keeled. A man people knew they could depend on. A leader.
Larry was born July 11, 1945, in Montezuma, Kansas. He was the first of two sons for Verle and Lora Soice. He was happiest when he was out on the tractor or combine with dirt swirling and the sun beating down on him. He graduated from Montezuma High School and went on to play basketball at Dodge City Junior College where he was a member of the 1963-64 team that won the National JuCo Championship. He went on to play at Fort Hays State University his junior year, but soon discovered a love for spreadsheets and hung up his basketball shoes to concentrate on accounting. In 1968, after completing his Master’s program, he moved to Wichita to take his first, and, as it turned out, his only job with Elmer Fox and Company. It was boom times for the small company and he moved up the ladder to become the Managing Partner. The company grew quickly, eventually merging with Grant Thornton; he was still with the company 40 years later when he retired in 2008.
During his time in Junior College, Larry met Nicki Mayrath, sharing farming backgrounds. Grass didn’t grow under their feet, and they were married in 1965. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in February. Teri Sue and Scott Eric soon made the family complete Larry found true joy in. He encouraged them, cheered for them, and their lives made his richer. He missed the laughter when the kids left home and found it too quiet, but not for long. Scott would often come over for some fatherly advice or summon Larry to his place. Over the next four years, Larry found himself involved in Scott’s Wichita State fraternity chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The Brothers would show their appreciation by initiating Larry as Honorary Brother in 1995.
Larry believed it was important to give back to his community and he modeled that. He gave generously of his time to many Wichita groups. He chaired the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way Campaign; he served as the first president of the Downtown Wichita Association. During retirement, he found joy in serving on the Board of Episcopal Social Services and working as a Payee for them. He was active at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Larry was preceded in death by his beloved son Scott, sister-in-law Melissa Wagner, parents Verle and Lora Soice, and nephew Henery Cromwell.
He is survived by his wife Nicki, daughter Teri Berry of Valley Center, grandson and loyal caregiver Jesse Berry; brother Phil Soice (Peggy) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; sisters-in-law Sharon Mayrath and Noel Cromwell of Kansas City; nephew Neil (Laura) Soice, niece Jennifer (Craig) Pelz; niece Angela Cromwell Dudley; nephew Aron (Sarah) Cromwell, and many friends and colleague.
Memorials have been established with Breakthrough/Episcopal Social Services and Wichita State School of Business.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 5, from 5-7 pm at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W Hwy 54, Wichita, KS, 67209.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 7, at 10 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 402 N. Topeka St., Wichita, KS, 67202, with a graveside service to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, KS, 67209.