Larry K. Bass, age 71, of Evansville, IN, passed peacefully on Friday, June 4, 2021, at Northriver Health Campus.
Larry was born October 10, 1949, in Oakland City, IN, to Harold Bass and V. June (McKinney) Bass. He grew up in Indiana and Kentucky and graduated from Boonville High School in 1967. During high school, Larry was involved in many activities including Band where he was a Drum Major, FTA (Future Teachers of America) and Drama Club. Larry went on to earn his BS in Education in 1971 at Indiana State University of Terre Haute, IN and then received his Master’s Degree in 1974.
Larry’s interest in special needs children started at an early age when his down syndrome sister passed away at the age of two. He began his teaching career with the South Vermillion School Corporation in Clinton, IN from 1971 – 1973 where he taught a Special Ed class of ten 17-18 year old’s, in the basement of an old high school. Larry was then hired as an Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation special education teacher at Glenwood School and remained there until 1988. He served as an itinerant Special Ed teacher from 1988 – 1990.
Larry’s talent as an educator was quickly recognized and he served as Special Education Coordinator from 1990 – 1996. He served as principal for Tekoppel Elementary from 1996 – until he left in 2000 to step into the role of EVSC Director of Special Education. Larry was appointed as the Director of State of Federal Programs in 2011. He was recognized state wide in 2012 as the recipient of the ARC of Indiana Education Award due to his advocacy and commitment on behalf of students with disabilities. Larry was also actively involved in the North Civitan Club where he held many offices on the club and district levels. He won numerous awards including Outstanding New Member in 1982, Civitan of the year in 1985, Club Honor Key in 1987 to International Convention Treasurer in 1989 and Mid-West District Governor in 1991. Larry retired from Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation in July 2015 where he mentored many people and touched many lives during his career.
Larry truly cherished his limited time he had with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family who loved him and by those who knew him.
Larry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Martha (Bates) Bass; mother, V. June (McKinney) Bass; daughters, Leslie Elkin and Erin Clem (Billy), both of Evansville, IN; sister, Jena Bass, of Evansville, IN; brothers, Ronald Bass (Shirley) of Beaver Dam, KY and Terry Bass of Spendall, IN; grandchildren, Lillian Elkin, Jackson Clem and Maxwell Clem.
Larry is preceded in death by his father, Harold; and infant sister Jacqueline Bass.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Ronald Bass officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem United Church of Christ Cemetery.
Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2021, and from 10:00 a.m. until time of service, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Evansville ARC Inc. at 615 W Virginia St, Evansville, IN 47710.
Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net
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