Sunday, January 23, 2022, in Waco, Larry David Salmans went to be with the Lord he has loved and served faithfully for 84 years.
Larry was born in Shamrock, Texas, and raised in Hanston, Kansas. He married his love, Marilyn Miller, in 1959 and together they raised five children: Suzanne, Mark, Scott, Brent, and Jason.
Larry graduated from Baylor University in 1960, majoring in psychology and biology. Upon graduation he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force and served on active duty as an Air Rescue Helicopter Pilot in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a high-altitude mission in Peru. In 1969, Larry retired from the Air Force and returned to Hanston to the family farm. He became Wing Commander for the state of Kansas, taught Aerospace classes for several universities, worked as a loan officer for the Hanston State Bank, and was instrumental in establishing the Hanston’s Volunteer Fireman’s Service and Emergency Medical Service. In that time, he also served on the school board and the Groundwater Management Board. From 1986 to 1996, Larry was a forensic psychologist at Larned State Hospital. In 1996, he was elected to the Kansas Senate and served for eight years.
Larry spent his last 20 years on earth farming, learning about the world around him, and traveling the world with his bride to visit family and friends and share the good news of Jesus with everyone he met!
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Otha and Sylvia Salmans; siblings, Elaine Salmans Keeton, Lee Salmans, and Jana Salmans Jordan; daughter, Suzanne Salmans; and grandsons Anthony Salmans, and Caleb Mandelstein.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons Mark (m. Mindy), Scott (m. Susannah), Brent (m.
Susan), and Jason (m. Erin); siblings, Walt Salmans and Sylvia Ann Barron; grandchildren, Zack
Mandelstein, Mason Salmans, Mallorie Hernandez (m. Kellan), Mia, Audra, Julia, Miriam, John,
Andrew, Clara, Jack, William, and Hudson Salmans; and great-grandchildren, JJ and Logan
Hernandez; as well as numerous extended family members and many more friends who
became family.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held in Hanston, Kansas in early summer; details are to be determined.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2022
