Larry L. Cornelius

Larry L. Cornelius, 67, of Lawrence, KS, unexpectedly passed away on September 25, 2023, at LMH Health. He was born to Mary Ann and Wylie K. Cornelius on July 27, 1956, in Topeka, KS.

He grew up in Topeka and graduated from Hayden High School, class of 1974.  He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1981 with a degree in business. 

He briefly worked at Hallmark Cards, but his passion in life was as the original owner and operator of Fun and Games, a toy store, in Lawrence.

On August 5, 1995, Larry married Nancy (House) Daniels in Lawrence, KS.

He had a fun-loving, gregarious, and adventurous spirit. His hobbies included sailing, gardening, and various arts and crafts. His favorite holidays were Halloween when he held a party for all who worked at Fun and Games, and the 4th of July when he hosted family and friends at a cookout with fresh Alaska salmon on his grill. He was proud of the house he built that included a large rock wall which he designed and constructed. He was also an animal lover, not only of his dogs and cats but also of the many birds who frequented feeders outside his living room windows. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, stepchildren, Carrie (Darren) Werst, Jeff (Julie) Daniels, brothers, Alan (Bobbi) Cornelius, Steven Cornelius, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two brothers-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law.

A funeral will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. A burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS.

The family suggests memorials in Larry’s name to Lawrence Humane Society or suggests planting a tree in his honor and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

7 Condolences

  1. Robin Starling on October 3, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Carrie and family, so very for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.



  2. Joan Fowler on October 3, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    So sorry for your loss. I remember his store downtown. It was one of my favorite places.



  3. Ron House on October 3, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    So sorry for our loss. Larry was a good man and a friend to everyone. Prayers of comfort



  4. Sarah Campbell on October 3, 2023 at 7:22 pm

    Nancy & family, I am sorry to hear of Larry’s passing.



  5. Rick Julian on October 7, 2023 at 7:11 pm

    Larry and I shared a pretty good friendship for what was all too brief amount of time many years ago. Yet from those few years I have so many cherished memories. To this day I laugh out loud when I think about some of our escapades. Larry always struck me as a lover of life and someone who thought life should be fun. He will always be in my heart and my memories and I’m a better person for the time we shared. I’m sorry for we have all lost a special person.



  6. Mary Ann Lynch on October 21, 2023 at 8:01 pm

    Nancy and family, I was so sad to hear of Larry’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayer.



  7. Charles V. Ihle on December 3, 2023 at 6:53 pm

    I am sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Please accept my condolences. Larry was my first wife Millie (Lynch) Ihle’s cousin.



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