Lawrence "Larry" Hamel, age 55, died Tues., Jan. 28, 2014 at his home in Concordia, KS. He was born on Aug. 21, 1958 in Concordia, KS to Wilfred "Joe" & Gloria (Hebert) Hamel.

Larry graduated from Concordia High School and attended Cloud County Community College where he played baseball. Larry worked in retail sales all his life, beginning at Daylight Clothing, Browns Shoe Store and eventually Coppoc Sports. He married DeAnn Skeels and to this union, two children, David & Amanda were born. He later married Tammy (Lammers) Steinle on Aug. 9, 2003 at the First UMC in Concordia. After working at Coppoc Sports for 12 years, Larry & Tammy purchased the business on May 1, 2007 and are the current owners and operators. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Larry had a passion for sports that was evident in his lifelong involvement of local youth sports, as a volunteer coach for Salvation Army Football for 12 years and numerous other local sports teams. Larry was an avid KU fan and enjoyed getting together with his friends to watch KU basketball.

Larry is survived by his wife, Tammy, Concordia; son, David Hamel & wife Cheryl, Topeka; daughter Amanda Stice & husband Mike, Topeka; step daughter, Halie Steinle, Manhattan; step son, Karter Steinle, Concordia; grandchildren, Ryan, Reagan & Reese Stice & Graham & Paige Hamel, all of Topeka; his parents, Joe & Gloria Hamel, Concordia; brothers, Bob Hamel & wife Brenda, Osborne, Jim Hamel & wife Lynnette, Shawnee & Greg Hamel & wife Julie, Lawrence; sister, Janice Strait & husband John, Concordia & a host of other family, friends and customers throughout the area.

Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia with Rev. Brian Lager officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 am to 9 pm with a Vigil service at 6:00 pm and the family greeting friends from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thurs., Jan. 30, 2014 all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Burial will follow the services at St. Concordia Cemetery, Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Meadowlark Hospice, Concordia Salvation Army Football or the Concordia Park Project in care of the funeral home.