Larry Durr: A Lifetime of Music

Larry Durr is well known in Southwest Kansas for his musical talents and his willingness to share his passion with anyone and everyone. But, perhaps you didn’t know that he started his musical interest with an instrument that few of us understand; the accordion. His interest in the accordion didn’t start as a musical instrument, but as a form of exercise.

Larry is the youngest of 8 children and came into this world in the Presbyterian Missionary Hospital near Embudo, New Mexico. His father, Laurence, served in WWII in the Philippines as a gunner on a destroyer. Laurence and Larry’s mother, Frances, moved to Fort Dodge in 1980 and both of them passed away while residing at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge. They rest in the Kansas Soldiers’ Home Cemetery at Fort Dodge.

Music came into the Durr Family when Larry’s father traded a milk cow for an old piano. Since no one in the family played musical instruments, the piano was stored in the cow and horse barn. Larry was attracted to the piano and learned to play it on his own. By the age of five, he could play several children’s songs.

Tragedy struck the Durr family when Larry was five years old. In an accident in the home, Larry’s head was busted open and his mother rushed him to the Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, New Mexico. Larry remained semi-comatose for almost five months. According to his mother, his heart stopped 10 times before he regained consciousness. After several surgeries and with 166 stitches in his head, Larry returned to his home in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos. This left Larry with a speech impediment and he was not able to walk normally. He also lost feeling in his left arm and right leg.

Larry’s therapy was conducted by his mother and area Catholic nuns, pastors, priests, family and neighbors. It took about two years for Larry to walk more normally and speak more clearly. Prior to the Accident, he spoke both Spanish and English, but he had to relearn both languages after the accident.

Enter the accordion: About this time, a local musician gave Larry an accordion to exercise his left arm which lacked strength. Larry self-taught himself the instrument and he shared his talent by playing and singing spiritual songs in area churches and schools.

When Larry was nine years old, his family moved to Arapaho, Colorado, where they remained for four years. In 1962, the family relocated to Weskan, Kansas. With God’s intervention, Larry’s physical limitations had all-but disappeared and he started participating in sports; primarily field track and basketball. He was soon participating competitively in the mile run and 100 yard dash.

Another tragedy: In the beginning of his Junior year in high school, Larry was involved in a traffic accident while riding his motorcycle. He underwent several surgeries and was a patient for just over six months. He was not able to return to school for the remainder of his Junior year and the first part of his Senior year. Because the school did not provide tutors, his classmates came to his home to help him continue his schooling. He was confined to a wheelchair and graduated with the use of crutches.

Prior to the motorcycle accident, Larry had enlisted for military service and was in a pre-mature status. He was later rejected because of the injuries sustained in the motorcycle accident.

Larry attended Fort Hays State College, but became discouraged after three years and took a job with the civil engineer’s office in Garden City with the Kansas Department of Transportation. He remained with them for over twelve years.

During this time, Larry felt a calling for a different career and he took several social science classes at Garden City Community College. It was also during this time that he started offering his services as a volunteer musician at senior centers, nursing facilities, area hospitals and retirement centers in Southwest Kansas. He also coordinated benefits for those who had suffered a traumatic event and he assisted the elderly and disabled on numerous events. He continued his musical interests as a member of several dance bands while he lived in Garden city.

In 1988, Larry resigned from KDOT. He returned to FHSU and graduated in 1991 with his B.A. in sociology and was accepted into the graduate program. He then earned his M.S. in human development counseling in 1996.

While completing his degree at FHSU, Larry continued to expand his interest in social service by taking nursing courses and receiving certification as a nursing assistant. He shared his abilities by working with people with disabilities, the elderly and other positions under the umbrella of the Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services. His musical interests continued and he shared his gift with nursing homes, retirement centers, youth programs and senior centers.

In 2001, Larry accepted the volunteer services coordinator position with the Kansas Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge. He continued in this position for almost six years until he was offered a position with the United Methodist Youthville at Dodge City campus. It was during this time that Larry became well known as a musician and entertainer. He played the electric bass guitar and piano for the Ford County Five Band. They performed at various nursing homes, hospitals, schools, senior centers and retirement centers. He also served as a stand-in pianist for the Fort Dodge Chapel.

His volunteer service during this time included serving as a member of the Ford County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Advisory board, a member of Dodge City Lions, the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging and the Health Coalition of Ford County.

Larry returned to New Mexico in 2007 to work as a case manager for the Santa Maria El Mirador Organization. This move also allowed him to be closer to his brother in New Mexico. He has since returned to Dodge City.

Larry has been a Christian all of his life and has grown up in church atmospheres and shared his musical talents with many and various denominations. He continues to perform and write and record music. In addition to his solo performances, he also performs with several area musical groups. Some of the musical instruments that Larry plays include the harmonica, six and twelve string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, drums and percussions, piano, organ, electric bass guitar, upright bass guitar, lap guitar, ukulele and fiddle. Larry readily admits that he doesn’t read music and he gives God “all credit” for his abilities.

As you can see, Larry lives and loves his music. He is presently playing with the John Fourteen Fellowship as volunteer pianist. They meet at Park Plaza every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. If your church or organization would be interested in having a visit from Larry, give him a call at 255-2675. He also loves to share his Christian testimony and how God has made everything possible

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