Lawrence Barding

Lawrence (Gene) Barding, 72, of Largo, Florida, formerly of Decatur, passed away October 25th, 2011 at Largo Medical Center, Largo, Florida. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 31, 2011, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Sunday, October 30, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Gene was born in Decatur, IL, the son of the late Carl and Mary (Lichtenberger) Barding. He spent the majority of his life in the car business, working as a salesman and manager for several dealerships in Decatur. He also spent several years running a marina at Lake Ozark, Missouri. He married Bonnie Ryan in 1957, and later married Marilyn (Walls) in 1992. Gene received several awards for his salesmanship and was also an avid bowler. He retired to Florida in 2007 where he and his wife resided until his death. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Largo; children: Ed Barding (Tracy) of Decatur, Cathy Tomlinson (Tom) of Clinton, IL, Lawrence Jr. of Decatur; stepchildren: Chris Walls (Jackie) of New Port Richey, FL, Tim Walls of Mahomet, and Amy Carter (Pat) of Hammond, IL; brother, Richard Barding (Patricia) of Decatur; sister, Mary Carol Jordan (Jerry) of Clinton, IL; 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Gene's love of life will be his legacy along with his contagious smile, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends. "
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