Lawrence Leo Schneider's Obituary
Lawrence Leo “Larry” Schneider, 92, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Larry was born in Helena, MT on October 8,1933, to the late Leo “Dutch” and Lorraine Schneider. He was raised in the family home on Lyndale Avenue in Helena’s Sixth Ward. Larry attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Helena High School in 1951. He attended Carroll College before earning his Doctor of Dental Science degree from the University of Iowa in 1957.
Following graduation, Larry served in the U. S. Army as a dentist and was stationed in Hanau, Germany for two years. After his active-duty service, Larry served in the reserves and set up his dental practice in Helena where he cared for patients until the mid-1990s. Larry served as the Helena Jaycee president in 1965, and was active in the Delta Dental Society.
Larry was an avid sportsman and fan. He shared colorful stories of his times on the baseball field throughout his lifetime. He was an avid golfer and walker. He loved following the Denver Broncos, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Cardinals. As he relocated, he became a fan of local teams.
Golf, however, was Larry’s lifelong passion. Whether playing, competing, volunteering, building clubs, writing about the game or maintaining the putting green in his own backyard, Larry found pleasure in every aspect of the game. He remained an active golfer into his nineties, enjoying the game for more than eight decades.
Larry served as president and was club champion at both Bill Roberts and Green Meadow Country Club (GMCC). A special moment on the course was scoring an ace on number 5 (now 12)to help win the Green Meadow Invitational Tournament with his brother Ken in 1976. Larry was instrumental in the design and development of the second nine holes at GMCC that opened in 1976. He wrote a regular column, The Golf Doctor, on golf-related topics for the Independent Record from 1989 to 1999 covering more than 150 different golf subjects.
After retirement Larry moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There, he started his day with coffee at McDonald’s with the guys before being the first on the tee at daybreak. His final years were spent in North Carolina near family.
Larry married Clare F. Peoples in 1960. Together, they had four children before divorcing. Larry prioritized staying close to his family. He traveled extensively to spend time with his children and grandchildren and to celebrate milestones in their lives.
Larry is survived by his children, Sandra Lall (Raj), Erik Schneider, Judi Pavon (Luis), Lori Schneider (Tom Daniels); grandchildren, Daniel Lall (Jenna), Alexa Corbett (Jeremiah), Maya Pavon, Leo Daniels, Forest Daniels; great grandsons, Jackson Lall and Cash Corbett; sister-in-law, Marcia Schneider; foster-daughter, Priscilla Roman; and four nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Kenneth Schneider and James Schneider.
Larry will be remembered for his devotion to family, lifelong passion for golf and enduring Catholic faith. His intellect, curiosity and quiet dedication left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Funeral services at St. Mary parish in Helena are tentatively scheduled for August 7, 2026, at 10 am.
James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family, and obituary lovingly written by the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Lawrence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lawrence?
Share a story where Lawrence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lawrence you’ll never forget.
How did Lawrence make you smile?