Obituary for Larry A. McGee

Larry Arden McGee left us suddenly on September 30, 2022 to join his wife Toy in the Lord's embrace. He was 67 years old.

Larry was born in Des Moines, IA on July 10th, 1955 to Billy and Ginger McGee. He grew up in the Des Moines area, and attended East High School, where he fell in love with his soulmate Toy Smith. A year later, on April 6, 1974, they were married.

After Larry graduated from Iowa State University, they lived in Chicago, Illinois for 4½ years (which Larry and Toy thought was about 4 years too long.) From there, they moved their growing family to Maple Grove, MN and found a home to spend the rest of their lives in.

Larry McGee was a highly motivated and driven man. He ran his own advertising company out of his home for years. At the age of 53, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. He attended Hamline University School of Law part time program and because of his dedication, was able to obtain his law degree after just three years while still working full time. He went into Family Law and opened his own practice in Osseo, MN. He loved his job, often remarking that he felt so blessed to work every day to "help people."

In fact, Larry was always a man who put others before himself. Throughout his life he was an active member of the St Vincent de Paul church and the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered for several events: Habitat for Humanity, Crosses for Life, and the Giving Tree to name a few. He embodied selflessness and through his activities taught his children the innate value of helping others.

The majority of his life was devoted to service of others, most importantly his family. He never missed a school function, soccer game, swimming meet, or band concert for his kids or grandkids. He was at every graduation, often cheering the loudest. He loved a good fishing trip, yearly deer hunting with his son, or any other outdoor activity. He was always there to offer his family advice on a variety of topics, or just to launch into a well-timed “Papa joke” to improve someone’s mood. Though, he usually laughed the hardest at his own jokes, but his family mostly enjoyed seeing how hard he was laughing. He was an incredible Dad and Papa, a teacher, confidant, spiritual guide, and most importantly friend. He is so loved and will be missed forever.

Larry was a devoted husband to his wife, Toy. In the years before she died, he cared for her in a way no one else would've been able. But, most importantly, he loved her deeply.

Larry is survived by his children: Daniel (Heidi), Jeffrey (Angela), Toy (Robert) Hess and Shanny (Steven) Snyder; his eight grandchildren: Evelyn, Kaitlyn, Finnegan, Otis, Xavier, Jacob, Ethan, and Hannah; his mother: Ginger Reece (Rife); his stepfather: Glenn Reece; his siblings: Pamela (Randy) Boviard, Christopher (Jennifer) Reece, Heather (Tim) Matthews, Adam (Kimberly) Reece and several nieces and nephews. Larry is preceded in death by his wife Toy Rene McGee (Smith); his father Billy McGee; and his brothers Todd and Michael McGee.

Services will be held on Monday, October 10 at 10:30am with visitation starting at 9:30am at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Remembrances can be sent to: Dan McGee, 600 1st Ave NW, Osseo, MN 55369.

Link to the live broadcast of the funeral: Larry McGee Funeral Service